BLOW
UX/ID Innovation for Impact of Cooking Project
BLOW is an innovative fume extractor which is designed for anyone who cooks. It extracts fumes before they rise to
a height at which users risk inhaling them. Cooks will no longer need to live with the risks of cooking fume inhalation.
Exposure to fumes from cooking oils is an important risk factor for lung cancer. However, right now range hoods are
designed for the room, instead of the user. Most fume extractors are installed above the range, over the user’s head. They prevent fumes from spreading to the entire house, but do not protect the cook from fume inhalation.
RESEARCH
Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer death among women in China since 1986. However, only
10 percent of female lung cancer patients smoke.
Exposure to fumes from cooking oils is an important risk factor for lung cancer. Heating cooking oil to high temperatures creates PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) through evaporation. PAHs are linked to
breathing problems and lung cancer.
A British study has shown that cooking with a bad ventilation system for one hour is equivalent to smoking 2
packs of cigarettes. The risk of getting lung cancer increases by 2-3 times. However, only 9.4% people know
that the fumes could be carcinogenic.
INSIGHTS
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Currently the range hood is designed for the room, not for the user. Most fume extractors are installed above the range, over the user’s head. They prevent fumes from spreading to the entire house, but do not protect the cook from fume inhalation.
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Blowing is much easier than extracting, and power-saving.
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We can utilize extracted air to become a great air curtain to block fumes.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
2012 James Dyson Foundation Bursary
2012 RCA Incubator (Final Round)
2012 RCA Summer LaunchPad (Final Round)
Date : 2012