Increasingly, we are finding that gas stoves are not only bad for the climate but also for our health. The gas industry has known for decades about the negative impacts of their products but prioritized profits over people every time. Late in 2022 a study was published showing that gas stoves can be attributed to almost 13% of all US childhood asthma cases. This revelation shocked the public and brought the gas stove debate to the fore.

Our coalition member Beyond Toxics released a study based on testing from  13 different homes in Eugene and Springfield for the presence of concerning levels of toxic indoor air pollution emitted by residential gas stoves. Read it here.

Beyond Toxics used an industry-standard optical gas imaging camera alongside a personal air quality monitor in homes ranging in size and age to determine levels of toxic gasses accumulating in kitchens while gas stoves were in use. Air monitor results found that using one burner on low heat for under five minutes, combined with preheating an oven to 350 degrees, resulted in harmful, sometimes hazardous nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels, plus other toxic chemicals in six of thirteen houses.

Population Attributable Fraction of Gas Stoves and Childhood Asthma in the United States

"We found that 12.7% (95% CI = 6.3–19.3%) of current childhood asthma in the US is attributable to gas stove use. The proportion of childhood asthma that could be theoretically prevented if gas stove use was not present (e.g., state-specific PAFs) varied by state (Illinois = 21.1%; California = 20.1%; New York = 18.8%; Massachusetts = 15.4%; Pennsylvania = 13.5%). Our results quantify the US public health burden attributed to gas stove use and childhood asthma."

Photo credit Nenad Stojkovic

Gas Stove Debate in the Media

The Fight Over Gas Stoves Vox Timeline

Vox reporter Rebecca Leber has been covering gas stoves and their climate and health effects since 2020. Find all the articles in a convenient timeline.