Gas ranges affect the indoor and outdoor air quality, circulating pollutants that increase the risk of asthma and other illnesses.
In previous blog posts, I've discussed the negative health effects of outdoor air pollution and how to reduce your exposure in order to lower your health risks. More and more evidence suggests that we should also think about the quality of the air inside our homes, and studies show that gas stoves can be dangerous.
Understanding the issues and taking a few precautions can protect your household if you have a gas stove, as many people do. These measures can also help to improve outdoor air quality.
Childhood asthma is linked to the use of gas stoves.
Both nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5, which are tiny airborne particles, are lung irritants and are produced when gas stoves are used for cooking. There is a link between nitrogen dioxide and childhood asthma. It is estimated that nitrogen dioxide pollution will cause nearly 2 million new cases of asthma in children in 2019.
According to an analysis of observational research, children living in households with gas stoves are 42% more likely to suffer from asthma. Although observational studies cannot conclusively show that gas cooking is the direct cause of asthma, data also demonstrates that asthma symptoms in both children and adults are more severe the higher the nitrogen dioxide levels are.
Cooking and baking with gas-powered appliances can emit high levels of nitrogen dioxide. A recent study published by Stanford researchers determined that nitrogen dioxide emissions from certain gas burners and ovens exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) outdoor standard within minutes. Currently, the EPA has not established any indoor air quality standards.
The Massachusetts Medical Society and the American Medical Association are attempting to educate clinicians and the general public about these risks. Nonetheless, much of this information still surprises many.
Gas stoves leak even when turned off.
In 53 homes, gas ranges were examined for the Stanford study. Even when the stoves were turned off, they all leaked methane gas. These leaks accounted for 76% of the company's total methane emissions. Methane and nitrogen dioxide both contribute to air pollution by forming ozone and smog at ground level. Methane is a major greenhouse gas that exacerbates climate change. In this study, neither the age nor the cost of the gas stove was linked to the amount of methane or nitrogen dioxide it put out.
Toxic chemicals in gas stoves and pipelines
In addition, a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and PSE Healthy Energy study revealed that gas appliances introduce additional toxic chemicals into homes. In the greater Boston area, the researchers gathered unburned gas from stoves and construction pipelines. In their analysis, they identified 21 volatile organic compounds that are hazardous air pollutants (VOCs). For instance, benzene, hexane, and toluene were detected in nearly all of the tested gas samples. Some VOCs increase the risk of asthma, cancer, and other illnesses.
How can the health of your family be protected if you have a gas stove?
You can reduce your health risks from indoor pollution by taking measures such as these.
Ventilate the cooking area when necessary.
Open the windows while cooking.
Utilize exhaust fans that move air outdoors. This will contribute to outdoor air pollution, but it will also reduce exposure to unhealthy air at higher concentrations in enclosed spaces. It doesn't work as well with ductless fans that circulate the fumes through filters.
Use air purifiers.
Although they cannot eliminate all pollutants, air purifiers can improve the quality of the air inside a home. Select an air purifier with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) that is proportional to the size of the room. Because air purifiers are portable, you can place one near the kitchen during the day and in the bedroom at night. Don't forget to replace the filters when they become dirty.
Switch to electric cooking appliances.
Your choices may be guided by cost, clutter, and environmental concerns. The production of new appliances consumes natural resources, and old appliances are typically discarded in landfills. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Use an electric kettle instead of the stove to boil water.
Use a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, toaster oven, or microwave to prepare food.
Switch from a gas stove to an electric stove. Refer to the following advice for making the switch and for recycling appliances. If you are a Massachusetts resident, you might qualify for a $500 rebate from Mass Save on a swap this year from a gas to an induction stove. (Other states may also provide comparable incentives.)
The switch would also benefit the environment, as electric appliances do not rely on methane gas but can instead utilise renewable, clean energy sources. Taking steps to stop climate change will make the world and you healthier in the long run.
Photo by Gary Barnes
Harvard health
