Target Population

General public
Workplace workers
Vendors
Chefs and food service workers

Description

The research team developed an innovative simple improved oil fume filter bucket to reduce aldehyde pollution in cooking fume emissions and lower the risk of lung adenocarcinoma in people with long-term exposure to cooking fumes. This project is promoted on a non-profit basis, providing technical guidance to vendors willing to install the system through collaborative communication with electricians to create customized oil fume filter buckets.

Key Highlights

First innovation in Taiwan for reducing aldehyde concentration in improved oil fume absorption buckets
Provides simple DIY solutions for vendors with lower socioeconomic status
Provides detailed manufacturing method animation videos publicly on YouTube
Professional staff available for technical consultation services
Designs customized oil fume buckets to meet different vendor needs
Assists Ministry of Labor in developing occupational disease recognition guidelines for lung adenocarcinoma caused by oil fume exposure

Service Data

Two vendors reduced aldehyde emissions by 55-76% after installing improved oil fume absorption buckets

Featured Outcomes

SNQ National Quality Mark Certification (2018-2020)
National Innovation Award (2020)
Recommendation from Taiwan Food Safety and Victim Rights Promotion Association (2019)
First domestic case (also first globally) of occupational disease recognition for chef with lung adenocarcinoma related to oil fume exposure
Compiled "Environmental Pollution (Public Version)" series publications
Published in 2030 Taiwan Child Healthcare and Health Policy Recommendations (2019)
Environmental education promotion by Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau (2019)
Published in National Health Research Institutes E-newsletter Issue 905 (2021)
Published in National Health Research Institutes E-newsletter Issue 935 (2022)

Safety Outcomes

Among female lung adenocarcinoma patients, non-smokers account for more than 50% of cases
Oil fume exposure increases lifetime risk of lung adenocarcinoma by 1-2 times
Aldehyde concentrations in cooking environments for vendors and chefs are much higher than in Western fast food or Chinese buffet settings

Satisfaction

High acceptance rate of improved oil fume absorption buckets among stationary vendors

International Achievements

First domestic case (also first globally) of occupational disease recognition for chef with lung adenocarcinoma
Research published in international journals:
Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health. 2021, 94:1363–1373
Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health. 2019, 92(1):101-109
J. Hazard. Mater. 2017, 324(Pt B):160-167
Sci. Rep. 2019, 9(1):1661

Benefits and Impacts

Reduces aldehyde emissions by 55-76%, directly lowering disease risk related to oil fume exposure
Assists Ministry of Labor in developing occupational disease recognition guidelines for lung adenocarcinoma caused by oil fume exposure
Promotes oil fume filter buckets through press releases and media interviews
Publicly available YouTube tutorial videos for public learning
Future plans to integrate promotion into Kaohsiung Medical University's USR plan to benefit more vendors and households
Provides free technical guidance to vendors and electricians willing to install the system

Public & Community Services National Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award: 2022 bronze

Fume Filtration to Cut Lung Cancer Risk

Assist street vendors in implementing oil fume collection systems to reduce emissions and human exposure, including customized equipment configuration, on-site assessment, and installation.

Organization

Kaohsiung Medical University

Specialties/Units