Gas Stoves Emit a Pollutant Linked to Childhood Asthma

A recent study published in Science Advances revealed that households using gas or propane stoves are exposed to unhealthy levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which can exacerbate asthma attacks. These concentrations can reach bedrooms and linger for hours even after the stove is turned off.

The study found that NO2 exposure from typical gas stove use often surpasses safety benchmarks set by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This exposure level can contribute to childhood asthma cases and respiratory conditions in adults.

In addition to NO2, gas stoves emit other harmful pollutants such as benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and ultrafine particles, all of which have adverse health effects beyond asthma. The study highlighted that the full health consequences of gas stoves may be underestimated due to these additional pollutants.

Factors such as duration and intensity of stove use, presence of outside venting hoods, and natural ventilation influence NO2 exposure levels. People living in smaller residences and certain ethnic groups may have higher exposure levels due to various factors.

Overall, the study emphasizes the need to address the health risks associated with gas stoves and implement measures to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. Gas Industry Response and Rebuttal From SA Study

The American Gas Association (AGA) responded to the SA study on their website.

“Despite the impressive names on this study, the data presented here clearly does not support any linkages between gas stoves and childhood asthma or adult mortality,” said AGA President and chief executive officer Karen Harber.

“The two major cited studies used to underpin the Stanford analysis directly contradict the conclusions they have presented. In short, the interpretation of results by Kashtan et al. is misleading and unsupported.”

In rebuttal to this statement, Jackson pointed out that 50 years of research have established that NO2 causes asthma, so it should not be controversial that NO2 coming from gas stoves causes asthma, too.

He noted the stance on NO2 from two oversight agencies. The EPA states that NO2 from gas appliances is linked to asthma and other health harms, while the American Lung Association warns that it causes an array of harmful effects on the lungs, including increased asthma attacks.

“We used three meta-analyses in our research, all three of which support our findings,” said Jackson. “The two studies we cite to support our estimates of pediatric asthma are meta-analyses from 2013 and 2024.”

The 2013 research determined that children who grow up with gas stoves are 32 percent more likely to develop asthma than those who do not, he continued. The 2024 investigation found a positive association between gas stoves and pediatric asthma, although it was a smaller increase of 9 percent on average. “We note that a 9 percent increase would affect millions of people in the United States,” said Jackson.

How to Reduce Risk

The EPA recommends installing and using an exhaust fan vented outdoors for gas stoves to reduce the NO2 exposure. However, the SA study noted that the capture efficiency of these devices is unreliable.

While the authors found that keeping the windows open all the time can reduce exposure, this measure is unfeasible in many parts of the country during hot and cold weather.

Can air purifiers help? Jackson explained that most air purifiers do not work for molecular pollutants, such as benzene, carbon monoxide, and NO2. They are designed to remove physical particles rather than individual gases.

Since the above measures have drawbacks that include unreliability, unfeasibility, and ineffectiveness, Jackson recommended replacing a gas stove with an electric one. This is the best solution because it eliminates the primary source of exposure.

“For people who have children with asthma or for an adult with COPD, I would unquestionably replace a gas stove with an electric one—assuming they can afford to do so,” he said.

“My son had asthma. I’ll never know whether his asthma was caused by our gas stove. Based on what I know now, I would never own a gas stove today.”

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