I’ve heard people complain about the smoke that comes from barbecue restaurants and the like. To me it smells delicious, but some people may find it different. Bottom line: is meat smoke really a health hazard, or is it just an annoyance that’s no worse than other smells that people may dislike? —Meet the Press
I recently learned that some City Hall spokespeople fear their departments being featured in Dr. No’s columns. “It might be good news, but it’s still going to be full of cocaine and hookers,” one person told me, as if in a flattering way, even when I’m on their side.
I think that’s just ridiculous, and I’m sure the barbecue industry will be happy to hear me say that, in most cases, being downwind from a smoker is no more harmful than living next to a sewage treatment plant or a livestock rendering plant. Sure, you might hate the smell, but it won’t kill you. You’re welcome!
Unfortunately, and I say this as a fat guy who keeps talking about Traeger grills, there is a caveat to this not-so-glowing recommendation: Meat smoke can contain a variety of irritants, including smoke particulates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide. All of that sounds pretty bad, but remember that all of these substances are produced when you burn anything, whether it’s wood, natural gas, or gasoline. Cars emit far more PAHs than barbecues.
Is meat smoke dangerous? As with any environmental exposure, the duration and concentration of exposure (and whether you have pre-existing respiratory conditions) will determine the outcome. If you’re a healthy person, sniffing smoke every now and then is probably fine. If you’re a guy with COPD who works in a smoky environment flipping chickens for 8 hours a day, you might want to take some precautions.
If you’re somewhere in between — a regular citizen who feels like you’re smoking too many cigarettes — overcome your Portland instinct for passive-aggressive silence and speak up. Most professional smokers are eager to be seen as good neighbors, and will likely work with you if there’s a problem.
That would only put an amateur brisket jockey like me at risk. Lord knows I’m not too keen on being seen as a good neighbor, but luckily I’m too busy with cocaine and hookers to fire up the Trager more than a few times a year. So, all is well. Happy grilling!
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