What’s all this I hear about gas stoves?

from Washington Blade, Volume 54, Issue 33, August 18, 2023

Tip-top pocket rockets: BMW M2, BMW Z4 German automaker leads in rankings for user-friendly options

Emissions can include nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter

By SCOTT BLOOM

Have you heard? There is research that suggests a link between exposure to gas stoves and an increased risk of childhood asthma. There are reports that using gas-powered stoves releases toxic chemicals, degrading indoor air quality. And the House of Representatives recently passed a ban against regulations to limit the use of gas stoves in order to protect consumers.

What does this really mean for you, particularly if you love your gas range?

In 2019, the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that children who were exposed to gas stove emissions in the home had an increased risk of developing asthma, particularly if they had a speciﬁc genetic variant that made them more susceptible to the effects of the emissions. Other studies have also found a link between exposure to gas stove emissions and an increased risk of respiratory problems in children, including asthma.

In January 2023, Bloomberg magazine published an article suggesting that the Consumer Product Safety Commission is ready to begin regulations of gas stoves. Also in January, the New York Times, responding to increased worries about the safety of using gas stoves, published ways to mitigate most health effects of using gas stoves and thus the lively media discussion about the danger of gas stoves was born. Or at least this research and these articles raised awareness and started controversy surrounding the facts about emissions from cooking with a gas range.

The emissions from gas stoves can include pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which can irritate the airways and lead to respiratory problems. Additionally, gas stoves can also release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and irritant, which can be inhaled and cause health problems.

This research is still ongoing, and more studies are needed to conﬁrm the link between gas stoves and childhood asthma. And keep in mind that gas stoves are not the only source of indoor air pollution and other factors such as smoking, pets, or cleaning products can also contribute to poor indoor air quality and childhood asthma.

The CPSC is responsible for protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Gas stoves would fall under the purview of the CPSC, and the agency may consider proposing regulations for them if it determines that they pose an unreasonable risk to the public. If you are looking for information on any speciﬁc regulations or proposals regarding gas stoves, check the CPSC website or contact the agency directly.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are not currently seeking to regulate gas stoves. This was conﬁrmed in a tweet posted on January 9, 2023 by CPSC Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr., one of ﬁve commissioners of the (CPSC) who wrote that the agency “isn’t coming for anyone’s gas stoves.” As the article in Bloomberg points out, in reality, cooking produces emissions and harmful byproducts no matter what kind of stove is used.

The CPSC has issued safety standards for ranges, ovens, and cooktops, which include requirements for stability, labelling, and warning systems. These standards also require manufacturers to include instructions for the proper installation, use, and maintenance of their products. The CPSC has also issued a warning regarding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and recommends that consumers install a CO detector in the home and have their gas appliances inspected and serviced regularly.

What steps can I take to better protect myself and others in my household?

“Ventilation is really where this discussion should be, rather than banning one particular type of technology,” said Jill Notini, vice president of communications and marketing with the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a Washington-based trade group. “Banning one type of a cooking appliance is not going to address the concerns about overall indoor air quality. We may need some behavior change, we may need [people] to turn on their hoods when cooking.”

Back to the January New York Times article, they published a few simple steps you can take to mitigate most health effects of using gas stoves. Journalist Dani Blum wrote, “Despite the recent news around gas stoves, it’s important to remember that there are concrete steps you can take to reduce their risks. [Brady Seals, a manager at the environmental think tank R.M.I.] said. “I think it’s [using a gas stove] a concern, but it’s a concern that can be mitigated. It’s a concern we have solutions for.”

As Blum emphasized for Times readers, “Remember that the risk of health effects from using a gas stove is generally low, but taking these steps can help to further reduce your risk.”

SCOTT BLOOM

is senior property manager and owner of Columbia Property Management.

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