A study reveals that the use of gas stoves increases nitrogen dioxide exposure to levels surpassing public health recommendations.
The report highlights that communities of color and individuals in low-income households in the United States face a disproportionate impact.
Indoor gas and propane appliances elevate nitrogen dioxide concentrations to approximately 75% of the World Health Organization’s standard for indoor and outdoor exposure. This exposure occurs even in the absence of other major sources, such as traffic exhaust or power plants, underscoring the significant impact of cooking with gas.
“Burning fossil fuel directly in the home while cooking introduces nitrogen dioxide,” explained Yannai Kashtan, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate at Stanford University. Ventilation offers some mitigation, but it remains an imperfect solution. Reducing pollution at its source is emphasized as the most effective approach.
This means that even if exposure to nitrogen dioxide from sources such as traffic exhaust and power plants is avoided, cooking with a gas stove can lead to inhalation of up to three-quarters of the safe exposure limit.
There are more articles like this! Check them out all!
Nitrogen dioxide is known to irritate the airways and worsen respiratory conditions like asthma. The Stanford study estimates that chronic exposure to nitrogen dioxide from stoves leads to at least 50,000 cases of pediatric asthma annually in the United States. The study, which measured NO2 levels in over 100 homes before, during, and after stove use, found that the pollutant spreads to bedrooms within an hour of turning on the stove and remains at harmful levels for hours after use.
“It spreads throughout the home much faster than expected,” said Rob Jackson, professor of Earth system science at Stanford and co-author of the study.
“The impact should be considered not just from a single cooking event, but from repeated exposure over days, weeks, and months.”
– Rob Jackson
Approximately 38% of households in the US use gas stoves, according to the Energy Information Administration. However, exposure to nitrogen dioxide is not uniform. The study suggests that home size plays a key role, with those living in homes smaller than 800 sq ft experiencing chronic exposure four times higher than those in homes of 3,000 sq ft.
“Older homes are typically smaller and more likely to have gas stoves, reflecting the nature of the housing stock,” said Jon Samet, professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study.
“It is encouraging to see attention focused on indoor air quality, especially in homes, as that is where a significant amount of time is spent.”
– Jon Samet
The results also highlight an unequal racial and socioeconomic impact of exposure. The study found that American Indians and Alaska Natives are exposed to 60% more nitrogen dioxide from gas and propane stoves than the national average. Black and Latino or Hispanic households experience 20% higher exposure compared to the general population.
In households with annual incomes below $10,000, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure rates are more than double those found in households earning over $150,000.
“Individuals in low-income communities face greater risks because their outdoor air quality is poor, and in many cases, their indoor air quality is even worse,” stated Rob Jackson. Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are more likely to be located near highways, ports, industrial sites, and other areas with high pollution levels.
While this study primarily focused on stovetop pollution from cooking, which involves relatively short periods of exposure, those with limited financial resources may rely on stoves and ovens for heat during colder months.
“There is often an assumption that stoves or ovens are used solely for cooking and meal preparation,” explained Diana Hernandez, sociologist at Columbia University, who was not involved in the Stanford study. A survey by Hernandez and her team revealed that over 20% of New Yorkers use stoves or ovens to heat their homes.
“This method of heating is inefficient, significantly more toxic, and more expensive. Heating an entire home or apartment for hours with an appliance not designed for that purpose is a major concern.”
– Diana Hernandez
Gas stoves are also known to emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In response, cities across the US are implementing building electrification policies aimed at phasing out gas stoves in new homes.
Dorris Bishop, a resident of Washington DC’s River Terrace neighborhood, recently joined a waitlist to replace her gas stove with an electric appliance after a local advocacy group tested her home and found elevated levels of NO2.
“I am hopeful that this report will push for the inclusion of electric stoves in all new homes.”
– Dorris Bishop
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adm8680
Abstract
Gas and propane stoves emit nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution indoors, but the exposures of different U.S. demographic groups are unknown. We estimate NO2 exposure and health consequences using emissions and concentration measurements from >100 homes, a room-specific indoor air quality model, epidemiological risk parameters, and statistical sampling of housing characteristics and occupant behavior. Gas and propane stoves increase long-term NO2 exposure 4.0 parts per billion volume on average across the United States, 75% of the World Health Organization’s exposure guideline. This increased exposure likely causes ~50,000 cases of current pediatric asthma from long-term NO2 exposure alone. Short-term NO2 exposure from typical gas stove use frequently exceeds both World Health Organization and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency benchmarks. People living in residences <800 ft2 in size incur four times more long-term NO2 exposure than people in residences >3000 ft2 in size; American Indian/Alaska Native and Black and Hispanic/Latino households incur 60 and 20% more NO2 exposure, respectively, than the national average.
