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For years, gas stoves have been considered the gold standard for serious chefs and upscale kitchens. However, a growing body of research highlights the concerning impact these appliances have on indoor air quality, which can be detrimental to children’s health. The issue has sparked significant debate, with some advocates calling for a nationwide ban on gas stoves. New York has already become the first state to prohibit natural gas and other fossil fuels in most new construction projects.
Surprisingly, many scientists behind these studies are taking action themselves, opting to remove gas stoves from their homes, despite the financial burden of replacement.
What Are the Risks of Gas Stoves?
Rob Thompson, an environmental sciences professor at Stanford University, recently published a study revealing that gas stoves leak methane continuously, even when not in use. This leakage, combined with nitrogen oxides and other harmful gases released during cooking, poses serious risks, particularly to children’s lung health. Thompson, who has an electric oven, is still committed to replacing his gas stove, stating, “I really don’t want to throw away a perfectly good electric oven, but we will.”
Similarly, Lisa Carter, a chemist at the University of Saskatchewan, led a 2018 study that detected alarmingly high levels of nitrous oxide in homes with gas stoves, which lingered for hours after cooking. “All of the researchers were pretty horrified,” she recalled. The toxic levels exceeded Health Canada’s guidelines for safe exposure, prompting her to switch to an induction cooktop as soon as possible.
University of Colorado engineer Sarah Miller also abandoned her gas stove, remarking, “Cooking is the leading cause of indoor pollution. It contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular issues and can worsen conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in children. You’re essentially living in a toxic environment.”
The Health Impacts of Gas Stoves
Burning natural gas releases various toxins, including nitrous oxides, carbon dioxide, and formaldehyde, which can adversely affect health, even at low levels. A meta-analysis of 41 studies published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in 2013 established that children residing in homes with gas stoves face a 42% increased risk of developing asthma. Other research links gas cooking to heightened respiratory problems in both children and adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
A 2014 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study found that cooking with gas for just one hour without proper ventilation can increase indoor carbon monoxide levels by up to 30%. Alarmingly, newer models do not produce any less pollution than older ones. The methane emissions from U.S. gas stoves alone are comparable to those from half a million vehicles.
Cities across the U.S. are responding to these findings. New York and the Bay Area (including San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, and Oakland) are leading the charge by banning gas stoves in new buildings, with New York’s ban commencing in 2023.
What to Do If You Have a Gas Stove
While many researchers advocate for replacing gas stoves, millions of people may not have the means to do so. For renters or those on tight budgets, there are ways to mitigate the air pollution produced by gas cooking.
Thompson recommends always utilizing the range hood, which can significantly reduce indoor air pollution if used correctly. It’s essential to ensure that the hood vents to the outside rather than merely recirculating air within the home. Opening windows or using HEPA air filters can also help improve air quality. Additionally, consider transitioning to alternative cooking methods when possible.
Another practical tip is to use the back burners, as this can enhance the effectiveness of the hood in capturing pollutants. As Ellen Baker, a researcher from Oregon State University who found that gas stoves worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions in children, simply put it: “Parents of all children should use ventilation when using a gas stove.”
This article is originally published on April 20, 2022.
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Summary
Gas stoves have long been favored in kitchens, but recent studies reveal their harmful effects on indoor air quality and children’s health. Researchers, alarmed by their findings, are removing gas stoves from their homes. Increased risks of asthma and respiratory problems linked to gas stoves have led cities like New York to ban them in new buildings. For those unable to replace their gas stoves, using ventilation, opening windows, and considering alternative cooking methods can help mitigate pollution.