A study has revealed that households using gas or propane stoves face significant exposure to nitrogen dioxide , which can lead to health issues like asthma and even premature death. The study conducted by researchers from various institutions, including Stanford, showed that NO2 levels in homes can remain elevated for hours after stove use, affecting even those not directly in the kitchen.
“We found that just how much gas you burn in your stove is by far the biggest factor affecting how much you’re exposed. And then, after that, do you have an effective range hood – and do you use it?” said lead study author Yannai Kashtan, a PhD student in Earth system science. Colin Finnegan of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability checks a simmering pot on a gas stove that does not have a range hood. Using a range hood that vents air to the outdoors can dramatically influence how much nitrogen dioxide fills the air in a home. Credit: Rob Jackson, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainabilitythroughout more than 100 homes of various sizes, layouts, and ventilation methods, before, during, and after stove use.
With any fuel source, particle pollution can rise from food cooking in a hot pan. The new research confirms that food emits little or no nitrogen dioxide as it cooks, however, and electric stoves produce no NO. “It’s the fuel, not the food,” said Jackson. “Electric stoves emit no nitrogen dioxide or benzene. If you own a gas or propane stove, you need to reduce pollutant exposures using ventilation.