We Need to Take Seriously the Pollutants Emitted When Cooking With Gas
Two years ago last week, one of the headlines in my column was, “Evidence Mounts That Gas Stoves Are Harmful to Health.” It cited an article the previous week in the journal Environmental Science and Technology which quoted a study reporting that 12 hazardous pollutants, including benzene, a carcinogen, were detected in the emissions of gas ranges. That study was of 159 homes in 19 California counties.
Last week, The Guardian, a British periodical, published an article with a more damning headline: “Pollutants from gas stoves kill 40,000 Europeans each year, report finds.”
that, “New peer-reviewed research from RMI, the University of Sydney, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which I co-authored with two epidemiologistsandacolleague,estimated that nearly 13 percent of childhood asthma cases in the United States can be linked to having a gas stove in the home.
According to that article, “The researchers attributed 36,031 early deaths each year to gas cookers in the EU, and a further 3,928 in the UK. They say their estimates are conservative because they only considered the health effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and not other gases such as carbon monoxide and benzene.”
Now, that’s a wake-up call!
I did a web search for “dangers of gas stove emissions” and found that multiple other studies had been conducted from late 2022 through to now reaching similar conclusions but without that large a database of impacted human beings.
On Sept. 7, 2022, Harvard Health reported that, “Gas stoves affect air quality inside and outside your home, circulating pollutants that raise risk for asthma and other illnesses.”
On Jan. 19, 2023, Scientific American wrote that, “Scientists have long known that gas stoves emit pollutants that irritate human airways and can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems.”
On Feb. 15, 2023, Brady Seals of the Rocky Mountain Institute announced
On April 7, 2023, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health reported, “A recent study suggests that gas stoves contribute to about 13 percent of childhood asthma cases in the U.S. equivalent to the risk of developing asthma due to exposure to secondhand smoke. NO2 can cause respiratory problems, particularly for those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, and long-term exposure to NO2 from gas stoves has also been linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease.”
On June 21, 2023, Yale Climate Connections reported that, “Cooking with gas emits dangerous levels of benzene, a carcinogen, into household air.”
On May 3, 2024, Stanford University reported that, “A study of air pollution in U.S. homes reveals how much gasand propane stoves increase exposure to nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to childhood asthma.”
This appears to be a problem that disproportionately affects low-income populations for a couple reasons. First, they are more likely to have gas ranges, especially in cities where natural gas is ubiquitous. Second, the problem is exacerbated in smaller kitchens, allowing the emissions to be less dispersed.
Obviously, a large-scale switch from gas ranges to induction or electric ranges is not practical or affordable, especially for low-income populations, but health
This 3-bedroom home at 48 Lang Street in Twin Lakes is at the foot of Independence Pass. It could be your escape from the Front Range rat race! Thanks to high-speed internet, some of the residents have city jobs but work from home. Live here year-round or make it a rental. Or live here part-time and apply to Lake County for a short-term rental permit! Enjoy the quiet mountain life of Twin Lakes Village (population 23). In summer, enjoy the drive over Independence Pass to Aspen. In winter, drive over Fremont Pass to Copper Mountain or Tennessee Pass to Ski Cooper or Vail. Escape the I Closer to home, enjoy hiking the Colorado Trail, which passes through town. This home was built in 2000 with all the modern conveniences, yet you're in a historic and charming mountain town. If you’ve been hankering for a slower lifestyle, this mountain home may be your escape. Visit www.TwinLakesHome.info to take a narrated video walk-through of this home and see lots of photos, then call me at 303-525-1851 to request a showing.
Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates
303-908-4835 Joined us in 2014
in 2001
Jim Swanson 303-929-2727 Joined us in 2008 Licensed in 2000
Chuck Brown
303-885-7855 Joined us in 2014
experts have some advice on what to do in the meantime. First of all, ventilate your kitchen when using a gas stove. If you have a vent fan above your range, use it, but only if it vents to the outside. Many vent fans, such as those built into over-the-stove microwave ovens, merely filter the air of particles, blowing it back into the kitchen. To see if your vent fan ventilates to the outside, open the cabinet above it, so see if there’s a flue.
A good short-term solution, if you have $50-100 to spend, would be to purchase a plug-in induction cooktop, as Rita and I have done. Search for “induction burners” and you’ll find many starting as low as $49.99. Because induction is so efficient, most induction burners plug into a standard countertop kitchen outlet.
NOTE: Induction burners only work with ferrous pots and pans, such as cast iron, enameled cast iron and certain stainless steel pots and pans. If a magnet sticks to the pan, it can be used on an induction burner.
Rita and I like to buy live lobsters from
Seafood Landing in northwest Denver and boil them, but it takes forever to heat a pot of water large enough to submerge four 1½-lb. lobsters, so next time we’re going to use our induction burner, because it will heat that much water in less than half the time. (I look forward to timing it!) That’s the thing about induction cooking it’s faster and uses less electricity than a standard electric burner.
NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy Under Attack
“Clear Cooperation” is a policy introduced by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in November 2019 to reduce the use of “pocket listings” by brokers who don’t want to share their high commissions with a buyer’s agent.
Let’s say that a broker lists a home for 6%, to use a round number. (The average has long been between 5% and 5.5%.) The listing contract had a place to designate the percentage of that 6% which the listing broker would share with the broker who produced the buyer. For a $1,000,000 listing, that would be, for example, $30,000 commission to each agent.
You can understand why the listing agent would want to promote that listing off the MLS and hopefully keep the full $60,000. Most Realtors, like myself, would consider that unethical on the face of it but also believe it’s not in the seller’s best interest. The seller wants as many buyers as possible to know about his or her listing so that he/she sells for the highest price.
From a greedy listing broker’s perspec-
tive, getting 6% of $1,000,000 is a whole lot better than only 3% of a higher price.
Enter the Clear Cooperation policy, which pissed off a lot of brokers, including those who aren’t members of NAR, because all MLSs were ordered to enforce it.
CCP, as the policy is called, requires that a listing be entered on the MLS within one business day of it being publicized in any way, whether it be a sign in the ground, a Facebook post, mass email or whatever. And it could only be “Coming Soon” as long as no showings were granted, including by the listing agent, and for a max of 7 days.
The attacks on CCP, mostly by large brokerages, have surged recently, but Zillow’s Susan Daimler, like myself, defends the policyasbeingintheconsumer’s best interest. In fact, she wants to see the policy strengthened by eliminating the “office exclusive” loophole. That loophole discriminates against small brokerages and independent brokers by allowing big brokerages to display MLS listings only to agents within the brokerage. That loophole should be abolished.
$698,000 Buy a Duplex & Have Tenant Help With the Mortgage
Don’t be misled by our name. Our agents have listed homes throughout the Denver Metro area and helped clients
It’s not often that you can buy a duplex where one side is empty and the other side is rented and contributing $1,500 per month to your mortgage costs! That’s the situation with this well-built and wellmaintained brick duplex at 12613 W. 8th Ave. in that quiet subdivision next to Welchester Tree Grant Park called Foothills View Estate. The two sides of this duplex are mirror images of each other and identical in terms of updating, such as the newer bath fixtures, double doors. (The two one-car garages are accessed from an alley.) The vacant half is the one with a 12’x23’ wood deck, from which you can see the foothills to the west. Welchester Park is just a block away, with lots of trails, including to the adjoining Welchester Elementary School. A video tour of both sides of this duplex can be viewed at www.GRElistings.com, along with interior photos of the vacant unit. The rented unit is not available to see until you’re under contract, but it is identical in condition to the vacant unit. Showings begin next Thursday, Nov. 14th. Open Saturday, Nov. 16, 11 to 1. Or call 303-990-7428 for a private showing.
Price Reduced on Solar-Powered Mountain Home
CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ
BY MARC VARGAS
...be
CAREERS MARKETPLACE
Miscellaneous
The Administrative Clerk serves as the primary customer service representative at City Hall and performs a variety of basic bookkeeping and office duties related to areas such as utility billing, personnel timekeeping, accounts payable, cash receipting, accounts receivable, and clerical support to City staff as assigned. This position is part of the administrative support team and interacts with City departments and external stakeholders to assist the public as they access services. High School Diploma or GED required. Knowledge of and experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Caselle financial software. General bookkeeping skills. Full-time, non-exempt position with comprehensive benefits. Hiring Range $19.84-$23.75/hr. DOQ. To apply, email a cover letter, resume and completed City employment application to City Administrator Andrew Marsh at admin@idahospringsco.com by November 25, 2024. An employment application and additional information may be found on the City website at www.idahospringsco.com. The City of Idaho Springs is an equal opportunity employer.
&
Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833-606-6777
& Beauty
Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060
www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258
Medical
Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-4779045
Miscellaneous
Water damage cleanup:
A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family & your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code!
Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-3993595
Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/day! 1-844591-7951
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971
We buy houses for cash as is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition.
Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844-877-5833
Miscellaneous
MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-4893936
Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/29/24.) Call 1-844-501-3208
Aging Roof? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091
Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-5439189
DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866859-0405
