Gas stoves have been a favorite of both home cooks and professional chefs for decades. However, recent research shows that gas flames affect indoor air quality and are a growing concern for our health. Since Americans can spend up to 90% of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA,) this is an important issue.
Key Points
- Gas stoves in the home can release unhealthy gases, such as nitrogen dioxide, at high levels within a few minutes. Sometimes, these levels were more than double the EPA’s standard for outdoor air. Currently, the EPA has no set limits for indoor air.
- These gases can be a problem for those with asthma or other lung diseases, especially children. In fact, children living in households that cook with gas stoves are 42% more likely to have asthma.
- Good ventilation is crucial when cooking with a gas stove. Air purifiers can also help.
The Big Picture
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) mainly come from emissions from vehicles or power plants and contribute to the haze known as smog. Studies now suggest that gas ranges emit the same type of gases, especially nitrogen dioxide. These gases have more “acute toxicity” which means powerful effects even during short exposure times, such as cooking a meal.
Kitchen Science
Consumer Reports recently measured emissions of NOx and other gases from typical gas ranges in settings similar to cooking in a typical kitchen.
Their tests found levels of nitrogen dioxide higher than public health organization recommendations, such as the World Health Organization. These levels increased even more when there was no ventilation and when the burners were set on high.
“You would never drag your gas grill into your kitchen to make dinner,” says James Dickerson, PhD, CR’s chief scientific officer, “but in effect, cooking with a gas stove comes with some of those same risks.”
Gas stoves leak even when not being used, according to a recent study conducted by Stanford University.
Things to Do Right Now
- Use your range hood every time you cook.
- Install a hood, directly over your stove, if possible, to be most effective.
- Open windows and use fans if no other ventilation is available. This will help disperse the gases.
- Use air purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters.
- Keep plants near the kitchen to help clean the air.
According to a 2014 US government study using HEPA and carbon filters or replacing an unvented stove with electric are the best ways to decrease nitrogen dioxide in the home.
For more information, check out the following:
How to Protect Yourself from Indoor Air Pollution and Other Hidden Home Hazards
20 Products to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality
Gas Stoves: Health and Air Quality Impacts and Solutions
Photo by KWON JUNHO on Unsplash