![]() Some people also have a much stronger sense of smell than others. Although gas distributors add an odorant to natural gas to ensure that people will smell leaks before there is an explosion risk, the smell may not be strong enough for residents to notice small leaks. gas stoves not in use emit methane-a colorless, odorless gas that is the main component of natural gas-at a level that traps as much heat in the atmosphere as about 400,000 cars. Some pollution with potential impacts on human health and Earth’s climate occurs when stoves aren’t even running.Ī 2022 study estimated that U.S. Nitrogen dioxide is not the only pollutant of concern from gas stoves. Using a range hood when cooking, or other ventilation strategies such as opening kitchen windows, can bring down concentrations dramatically. People who live in larger homes, have working range hoods that vent to the outdoors and have well-ventilated homes in general will be less exposed than those in smaller homes with poorer ventilation.īut even larger homes can be affected by gas stove usage, especially since the air in the kitchen does not immediately mix with cleaner air elsewhere in the home. How much indoor pollution you get from a gas stove is affected by the structure of your home, which means that indoor environmental exposures to NO₂ are higher for some people than for others. How can one gas stove contribute more to your exposure than an entire highway full of vehicles? The answer is that outdoor pollution disperses over a large area, while indoor pollution concentrates in a small space. ![]() For example, a study in Southern California showed that around half of homes exceeded a health standard based on the highest hour of nitrogen dioxide concentrations, almost entirely because of indoor emissions. This is true in some homes, especially with respect to exposures averaged over months or years.īut there are many homes in which gas stoves contribute more to indoor nitrogen dioxide levels than pollution from outdoor sources does, especially for short-term “peak” exposures during cooking time. The gas industry’s position is that gas stoves are a minor source of indoor air pollutants. Here is some perspective on how gas stoves can contribute to indoor air pollution, and whether you should consider shifting away from gas. But recent studies have also raised concerns about indoor air emissions from gas stoves.Īcademic researchers and agencies such as the California Air Resources Board have reported that gas stoves can release hazardous air pollutants while they’re operating, and even when they’re turned off.Īs an environmental health researcher who does work on housing and indoor air, I have participated in studies that measured air pollution in homes and built models to predict how indoor sources would contribute to air pollution in different home types. ![]() Some of this attention is overdue: Induction has long been popular in Europe and Asia, and it is more energy-efficient than standard stoves. Now, there’s increasing interest in magnetic induction cooktops-surfaces that cook much faster than conventional stoves, without igniting a flame or heating an electric coil. ![]() Cooks love their gadgets, from countertop slow cookers to instant-read thermometers. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |