Cooking, festive candles, and party poppers release volatile chemicals that are harmful to humans. Experts have identified New Year's as the most toxic holiday of the year, as reported by Tengri Life referencing Daily Mail.
Health-threatening substances are produced during cooking when gas stoves, running for many hours, emit nitrogen dioxide. Both gas and electric stoves are hazardous; they release ultrafine particles smaller than 100 nanometers, which can deeply penetrate our respiratory system.
Trendy candles with festive scents, such as cinnamon and mistletoe, emit volatile chemicals, and even seemingly harmless party poppers release tiny particles into the air.
"New Year's Eve may be the most toxic day of the year. It has the same effect as standing on the side of a busy London road for four hours, something most people would not consider doing," says pollution expert Ian Colbeck from Essex University.
Research indicates that our well-insulated, enclosed homes pose a potential health risk as we prepare for the year's main celebration.
A solution to this issue might be houseplants, which can absorb some of the vapors circulating indoors. Scientists also recommend planting birch trees in the yard, as they can reduce pollution by half.
Pollution is not the only risk: for insurance companies, New Year's is a nightmare. They pay out enormous sums each year due to fires and injuries sustained during the celebrations.