Some studies suggest that if a pregnant woman is exposed to high levels of pollutants from gas stoves, her child might be more likely to develop asthma.But, it’s hard to draw definitive conclusions from these studies, because there are so many other factors that can affect a person’s health.Plus, some studies suggest that electric stoves might also be linked to asthma, so it’s not just gas stoves that are the problem.
Thanks to Linode for supporting this SciShow video! If you’re concerned about the potential health risks of gas stoves, we’re going to take a look at what people are worried about and what you can do. Burning natural gas produces water, carbon dioxide, and heat, but combustion is often incomplete and can create hazardous byproducts like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other compounds. Studies have also linked natural gas leaks to compounds like benzene and formaldehyde, which can cause cancer. Research suggests that exposure to high levels of pollutants from gas stoves may be linked to childhood asthma, but other factors may also be involved. It’s also worth noting that some studies suggest electric stoves may be linked to asthma as well. But if you’re looking to reduce your risk, propane might be worth considering.
Multiple studies have shown that kids who live in homes with gas stoves are more likely to develop asthma. However, these studies haven’t yet proven that gas stoves cause asthma, since most of them are based on surveys, not experiments. Surveys can show correlations, but they can’t prove that one thing causes another.
It’s not surprising to see a link between gas stoves and respiratory conditions, since some of the main byproducts of burning natural gas are compounds made of nitrogen and oxygen, known as nitrogen oxides, which are known to irritate the respiratory system. These can cause shortness of breath or coughing, even in low concentrations.
Fortunately, the levels of nitrogen oxides produced by stoves don’t seem to be a big problem for most adults, even those with asthma. However, children can be especially vulnerable because they have smaller airways and are generally closer to the ground, where there are higher levels of these compounds. Research has found that among kids with asthma, those exposed to higher levels of nitrogen oxides wheeze more often and need to use an inhaler more than kids with less exposure. Another study found that 13% of cases of kids with asthma in the U.S. may be linked with the use of gas stoves.
It’s tricky to decide what to do with all of this information, since our lives are full of pollutants from couches, floors, cleaning products, and heating systems. It’s not realistic to try to completely eliminate pollutants from our lives, but it helps to reduce risks wherever we can.
For many gas stove users, throwing out an expensive, working appliance is just not in the cards. Plus, if you don’t own your home, you usually don’t have a choice what you cook on. Fortunately, if you have a vent over your stovetop, just turning that on can go a long way. One study found that in households with gas stoves, children were less likely to have asthma if the stove was used with ventilation, compared to if there was no ventilation. Children in these households also had better lung function overall.
If you’re eyeing alternatives to gas stoves, one option might be propane. Propane is a fossil fuel that gets extracted from raw natural gas and petroleum, and it’s much more pure than natural gas. Burning propane has fewer extra byproducts than natural gas, but there’s no research that clearly shows how much it reduces health risks compared to natural gas.
No method of cooking indoors is going to be pristine, since cooking always releases some particles and compounds into the air that aren’t great for the lungs. However, if you’re looking to reduce your risk, propane might be worth considering. If you can avoid burning gas, you can avoid adding nitrogen oxides to the indoor air, which can be especially beneficial if you have little ones in your home. One way to quit burning gas is to use an electric stove, which may take a little longer to get going and may not adjust the heat as fast, but they get the job done.
Alternatively, you can switch to an induction stove, which is a newer cooking technology that runs on electricity and gives the electric stove a complete makeover. This works thanks to an alternating electric current running through copper coils underneath the cooktop, which generates a magnetic field. When a material that conducts electricity is placed inside this flip-flopping magnetic field, it generates a current in that material, which is called induction. This resistance creates heat, and the surface of the stove does not even get hot. However, it only works with specific materials such as stainless steel and cast iron, so you may need to purchase new pots and pans.
Induction stoves are more efficient than cooking with gas, easier to control than traditional electric stoves, and can even heat food and water faster than other stoves. However, they tend to be more expensive than other stoves, and if you don’t have an electrical outlet ready to go, you may need an electrician to get you set up.
Switching stoves may not be hassle-free, but induction stoves are a promising way to clean up our indoor air. Taking any steps to keep the air fresh may help your health, and the solutions may look different for everyone. It may come down to cost or the ages of people in your household, or you may just need to open a window while you cook.
Regardless, it is worth it to think about what else is in your home and how it could be affecting the air you breathe, as many of us spend the vast majority of our lives inside our homes. This SciShow video is supported by Linode, a cloud computing company from Akamai that provides access to some of your favorite internet services, from streaming to storing files. They make cloud computing understandable and accessible, with video tutorials, blogs, community forums, helpful guides, and award-winning customer service representatives available 24/7. To sign up, click the link in the description down below or go to linode.com/scishow for a $100 60-day credit on a new Linode account.