Gas stoves emit dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide in homes

(Bloomberg) — Homes with gas stoves often face dangerous air pollution above legal limits, a Europe-wide study shows. After measuring exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in homes that use both electric and gas stoves, researchers determined that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in homes that use gas cooking are on average lower than those observed in homes that use electric stoves twice.

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Nicole Kearney, director of NGO CLASP Europe, which commissioned the study, said: “The severity of air pollution in households using gas appliances for cooking is significantly higher than in households using electric cookers.” Air pollution levels are typically higher than what we see outside.”

In recent years, calls for regulation of gas stoves have grown as health risks have become more apparent, especially for children, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. In 2022, a study in the United States showed that more than 12% of childhood asthma cases are currently related to the use of gas stoves. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that children living in households with gas stoves have a 20% increased risk of lung diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

For the study, the NGO Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, in coordination with CLASP, installed sensors in 276 homes in seven countries: the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Slovakia, Romania and the United Kingdom. The ratio is higher. Average number of households with gas stoves and pediatric asthma associated with gas stove use. About 80% of the households in the study used gas for cooking, while the remaining 20% ​​used electricity. The sensors measured levels of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and suspended particulates in the research lab’s kitchen and other rooms as well as outdoors over a 13-day period.

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On average, nitrogen dioxide concentrations were higher outdoors than indoors in homes with electric stoves; while in homes with natural gas, concentrations were higher indoors. The average level in the kitchen of homes using natural gas was about 26.8 micrograms per cubic meter (micrograms per cubic meter), while the average level in homes using electricity was 14 micrograms per cubic meter.

CLASP says this is Europe’s largest study to date of air pollution from household gas cooking. The group is calling for a subsidy scheme to favor zero-carbon heat sources such as heat pumps, to include induction cooktops, and for energy labels on cooktops to include warnings about air pollution. EU and UK legal limits on air pollution do not apply indoors, and electrical safety regulations do not set specific limits on pollutants.

“On average, we spend 80 to 90 percent of our time indoors. Vulnerable groups are likely to spend more time indoors,” said Christian Pfrang, professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Birmingham. did not participate in this study. “This particular study is very comprehensive and adds to the evidence that directly compares indoor and outdoor pollution and shows that nitrogen dioxide is indeed a problem with gas stoves.”

Original note: Gas stoves represent dangerous pollution for most homes, study finds

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