Science Advances report also finds people of color and low-income residents in US disproportionately affected

Science Advances report also finds people of color and low-income residents in US disproportionately affected

Using a gas stove increases nitrogen dioxide exposure to levels that exceed public health recommendations, a new study shows. The report, published Friday in Science Advances, found that people of color and low-income residents in the US were disproportionately affected.

Indoor gas and propane appliances raise average concentrations of the harmful pollutant, also known as NO2, to 75% of the World Health Organization’s standard for indoor and outdoor exposure.

That means even if a person avoids exposure to nitrogen dioxide from traffic exhaust, power plants, or other sources, by cooking with a gas stove they will have already breathed in three-quarters of what is considered a safe limit.

“When you’re using a gas stove, you are burning fossil fuel directly in the home,” said Yannai Kashtan, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate at Stanford University. “Ventilation does help but it’s an imperfect solution and ultimately the best way is to reduce pollution at the source.”

  • Flying Squid
    3•8 months ago

    I’m sorry, I don’t. My wife did all of the research and stuff for it because I was focused on health issues (also, she’s a librarian, so research is her thing). All I said was try to get one that didn’t involve some stupid app or whatever.

    I’m not even 100% sure what model it is because I just looked and I can’t see if it says anywhere. It’s a GE and they have a whole ton of models on their website, so I couldn’t tell you, but I’m guessing she paid significantly less than $1000 for it.

    She’s still asleep, but if I remember to ask her when she wakes up, I will.