New Study Links Gas Stoves to Toxic Air Pollution in Homes

A new study led by Stanford University, published on December 2, 2023, in PNAS Nexus, reveals that gas and propane stoves in homes are significant sources of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to serious health issues such as asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, preterm birth, diabetes, and lung cancer.

Senior author Rob Jackson, the Michelle and Kevin Douglas Provostial Professor in Earth System Science at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, emphasized the risks associated with indoor air quality, noting that individuals using gas stoves may inhale nitrogen dioxide pollution levels comparable to those found outdoors.

The research indicates that switching from gas to electric stoves could reduce nitrogen dioxide exposure by over 25 percent nationwide and nearly 50 percent for frequent users. This study is the first comprehensive evaluation of nitrogen dioxide exposure from indoor and outdoor sources across the United States, incorporating data from 133 million residential buildings and mapping exposure by zip code.

It was revealed that while outdoor sources like vehicle traffic contribute to most nitrogen dioxide exposure, approximately 22 million Americans, particularly those in smaller homes and rural areas, are exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels above recommended limits due to gas stove use.

Moreover, the study found that the highest spikes in nitrogen dioxide occur indoors when gas stoves are used, with these emissions persisting for hours after cooking. The findings align with previous research indicating that gas stoves also emit benzene, a known carcinogen linked to leukemia.

Lead author Yannai Kashtan, an air quality scientist at PSE Healthy Energy, called for increased attention to indoor air pollution, especially as more families spend time indoors. Efforts such as rebates and tax credits for electric stoves could significantly benefit households, especially in low-income communities and rental properties.

The study also highlighted disparities in nitrogen dioxide exposure among different racial and ethnic groups, with levels 60 percent higher in American Indian and Alaska Native households and 20 percent higher in Black and Hispanic or Latino households compared to the national average.

Jackson urged a shift in focus toward improving indoor air quality as a means to promote public health. The research was funded by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, its Department of Earth System Science, and the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program.