Federal Agency May Ban Gas Stoves, Citing Harmful Pollutants

by Rockland Daily Staff

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering banning the use of gas stoves, which they say may cause health and respiratory problems. “This is a hidden hazard,” said Richard Trumka, the commissioner of the (CPSC). “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”

Natural gas stoves are used in about 40% of homes in the United States. They release nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other matter, which some reports say are above levels considered safe by the EPA and the World Health Organization.

Gas cooking in the home spiked children’s risk of developing asthma by 42%, according to the International Journal of Epidemiology, which compiled the results of 41 studies investigating the effects of gas stoves.

The Journal also suggested that cooking with gas stoves increases children’s lifetime risk of asthma by 24%, The Hill reported.

On the other side of the issue are those who say that efforts should be focused on good ventilation to allow airflow in and out of the home and safely transporting natural gas into the house.

While cooking with gas, good ventilation systems can reduce the health risks, advised Trumka, but he advised consumers to ensure that their stoves’ exhaust hoods connect to vents outside the home.

Otherwise, your stove ventilation system “really doesn’t do anything except make an obnoxious sound when you turn it on,” Richard pointed out.

According to Matt Casale, PIRG's environmental campaigns director, the CPSC’s formal review process of gas stoves’ emissions is a “big step” that could lead to more federal regulation. 

photo credit: Flickr