By Sarabeth Lowe, MPH

Ms. Lowe is a Communication Specialist at the University of Delaware Disaster Research Center.

For more than 40 million households with gas stoves, the familiar tick tick tick of a flame igniting might eventually become a thing of the past.¹ Many people consider this fuel-powered appliance a reliable and efficient choice for cooking, but few are aware of its emission’s impact on public health and the environment. These concerns have ignited a far-from-settled ongoing political debate. While pinning down the exact cause of chronic disease is no simple task, decades of accumulated research prove that emissions from gas-powered appliances, which include ranges, cooktops, and ovens, directly impact human health.^2–6 

Numerous agencies in the United States (US), including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Public Health Association (APHA), have warned the public about the dangers of gas stoves.^7–11 Still, roughly 40 percent of American households use them regularly, and routine exposure from gas stoves remains an under-recognized health threat to residents.^9,11–15 Luckily, changes in public policy, new developments in climate and health sciences, and investments in innovative cooking technologies are paving the way for cleaner kitchens. Here’s what you need to know.

A Hot Topic in Public Health

The impacts of gas-fueled cooking appliances on public and environmental health date back nearly 50 years.^3,6,16 In 1983, the US federal government considered regulating these appliances—via an outright ban or by monitoring emissions impact on indoor air pollution—­after the CPSC and EPA investigated their effects on human health.¹⁷ However, industry pushback at the time prevented government intervention.

Several recent studies investigating gas stoves’  impact on human health, renewed media attention, and outcry from concerned citizens, proponents of fossil fuels, and politicians have reignited this debate.¹⁶ In 2023, the leader of the CPSC, an independent agency of the US government that promotes the safety of consumer products, posted on social media that he was considering a ban on gas stoves due to safety concerns.^8,15,18 Though the agency later clarified that it would not propose any official regulatory action, this moment did recall attention to this public health issue, and the APHA issued a formal letter calling on the CPSC to regulate gas stoves. This debate has been simmering since. 

Health Outcomes and Air Quality

The main negative health impacts associated with gas stove use does not stem from the appliances themselves. Rather, it is the toxic fumes emitted over time that do the most damage. Indoor air pollution is an inevitable byproduct of all cooking ranges.² When food is heated using a gas stove, there are two main types of emission. The first type comes from the gas itself. The second kind is a byproduct of the food being cooked.^2–6,11,16

Gas stoves emit poisonous fumes, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), a toxic group of air pollutants known to damage human health. One of these gases is nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).^1–4 Decades of research show that long-term exposure to NO₂ has a negative impact on the respiratory system. These effects include a higher incidence of childhood asthma, more intense and frequent asthma exacerbations, underdeveloped lungs, and increased cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).^{2,4,5,9,11,15–21} At the same time, heated food releases microscopic liquid and solid particles into the air. Pollutants from both of these sources are small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream.² This can lead to chronic inflammation that contributes to the development of disease in your lungs, heart, and other organs.^2,15,20 

A 2022 landmark study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health linked 13 percent of current childhood asthma cases in the US to the use of a gas stove.¹⁹ This study added to earlier research that found these emissions were associated with other respiratory conditions.

Researchers from Stanford University investigating the impacts of gas stoves added to this body of literature with several key discoveries across two studies.^4,21,22,25 They found that:

Long-term exposure to NO₂ is high enough to cause as many as 19,000 deaths per year in the US.^4,22 This is equal to about 40 percent of the number of deaths linked to secondhand smoke annually. 

Levels of nitrogen oxides were proportional to stove usage.^21,25 Researchers also found that the size, intensity, and quantities of the gas burners can all contribute to higher concentrations of this gas. This means that these emissions can surpass safety limits within minutes.^21,25

There is no easy “off” switch. Long-term exposure to toxins from these appliances is nearly inevitable because gas stoves still leak fumes into the air when not in use.^4,21,22,25 This allows the fumes to circulate hours after burners are turned off and spread into areas beyond the kitchen.^{2,15–17,20–24}

How it Works: Gas vs. Electric vs. Induction Stoves

Shifting away from gas-powered stoves is critical to protecting public and environmental health.^{1–6,15–22} Research shows that removing gas stoves completely and replacing them with a cleaner alternative is generally the most effective intervention in improving indoor air quality.^15,16 Electric and induction stovetops emit either less or no additional pollution.^1–4,23 Here is how these three options work.

Gas stoves. The function of gas stoves is relatively straightforward. They rely on a combustible mixture of oxygen and gas, the flow of which is controlled by turning a knob to determine the size and intensity of the flame.²³ The heat from this flame warms the cookware above it.

Electric stoves. Electric stoves are slightly more complex. An electric current is routed through metal elements, such as coils, which heat up and, as with stoves, directly heat the cookware on top.^2,24 While they produce less indoor air pollution than gas stoves, there is still a tradeoff in terms of efficiency. Electric stoves often take longer to heat than ones powered by gas and, thus, tend to be used for longer periods of time.²⁵

Induction stoves. Induction stoves are more nuanced. This type of stovetop uses electromagnetic waves to send pulses into cookware and heat it directly.^1,24 Notably, this approach minimizes energy loss. Induction stoves are highly responsive, do not emit harmful gases, and provide precise temperature control.^{1,2,15,23–25}

Notably, particle pollution can rise from cooking food in a hot pan with any fuel source, but research confirms that food itself emits little or no NO₂ as it heats.^2,4,24 Additionally, one of the main reasons that electric and induction stoves are still the preferred choice among these three options is that they do not emit NO₂.

Safety and Prevention

Removing and replacing a gas stove is not always a feasible option, especially for those renting. Luckily, there are several ways to mitigate their health impact. 

Dilute, dilute, dilute. This strategy can be as simple as opening a window or using a rotating pedestal, tower, or ceiling fan to circulate air. Facilitating a cross breeze by opening two windows or doors on the opposite side of the kitchen will be most effective.²⁷ While not all kitchens are equipped with exhaust fans, they can also help circulate air. All of these strategies can dilute the concentration of fumes emitted from gas stoves and lessen their impact on your health. 

Pay attention to ventilation. If your stove has a vent or range hood, use it each time you cook, even if you’re just boiling water.^1,3,6 Ideally, these exhaust mechanisms should be on at full blast and blow the fumes outside.^27,28 If they do not empty outdoors or you’re unsure, consider placing a fan near where you’re cooking to blow the fumes toward the window. 

Use your stove less often. While a stove might be the most convenient option, there is no shortage of other kitchen appliances that can also be used for cooking. Microwaves, slow cookers, toaster ovens, air fryers, and electric kettles are all practical options.^{1–3,15,23,27–30} Plug-in electric burners, stovetops, or skillets are also viable alternatives to gas stoves. 

Air filters. Experts are divided on the effectiveness of air filtration devices in reducing indoor air pollution. Some research shows that HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) air purifiers may be effective in reducing household pollution related to gas stove use.^{1,15,16,29,30} However, they are not foolproof. These devices need to be used consistently, and filters must be regularly replaced. The majority of air purifiers on the market are likely not designed to capture and remove gaseous pollutants like methane or NO₂.^27,31–34 Notably, HEPA filters themselves capture particles, not gas. This is why some of these purifiers come with come with an activated-carbon filter. However, the small amount of charcoal in each filter—usually only a few ounces—loses effectiveness over time.

Bottom Line

The US has been embroiled in a debate over whether and how to regulate gas stoves for decades. Though the outcome of this dialogue is still murky, the negative public and environmental health impacts of gas-powered appliances are crystal clear. The future is looking brighter. Some governments and businesses are banning gas-powered appliances from new developments or incentivizing the transition from gas to electric.^2,4,35–37 In the meantime, however, protection from the harmful effects of gas stoves is largely up to the individual. 

Sources

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2. Zaidan G. The thing in your kitchen most likely to kill you. TedEd. 12 Sep 2024. Accessed 16 Nov 2024. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-thing-in-your-kitchen-most-likely-to-kill-you-george-zaidan 
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