It’s time to clear the air.
While staying inside seems like a safe way to avoid the harmful effects of air pollution, it turns out that nitrogen dioxide, a toxic gas that primarily comes from cars, lurks indoors as well.
A new study out of Stanford University suggests that an everyday household appliance accounts for a staggering amount of exposure to nitrogen dioxide, which is known to irritate airways, worsen asthma and even potentially lead to lung cancer and diabetes.
Gas and propane stoves account for one-fourth of indoor and outdoor long-term nitrogen dioxide exposure for those who cook with them at home, according to the study. Indoor exposure jumps to more than half of their total if they use their stove often.
The study, published this month in PNAS Nexus, also claimed that gas-burning stoves create brief, high-concentration spikes of nitrogen dioxide that exceed levels recommended by the WHO’s and EPA’s short-term guidelines within homes.
Some 38% of American households use a gas stove, even as several studies have documented their harmful effects.
Researchers from Purdue University found that gas stoves can produce up to 100 times more dangerous particles than a car exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
These stoves also release benzene, a dangerous chemical linked to leukemia and other blood disorders.
Another analysis from Stanford suggested that children’s lifetime cancer risk from benzene emitted by gas stoves can be up to 1.85 times higher than adults.
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the All-Electric Buildings Act in 2023, requiring electric appliances in most new buildings. The law, which was supposed to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, is mired in federal litigation.
The new Stanford study confirms that switching from gas to electric stoves significantly cuts indoor nitrogen dioxide pollution.
Another way to reduce potential harm is to make sure you have proper ventilation, either with a range hood or an open window, while cooking.
Other low-cost options include using electric kitchen appliances like tea kettles, toasters and slow cookers.
People can apply for federal tax credits for making some energy-efficient home improvements, including the installation of biomass stoves.
