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What happened?
On January 9th, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that it is considering a potential ban on gas stoves in the country due to their contribution to indoor air pollution and possible health issues, as stated by commission representative Richard Trumka. Trumka declared that “we may prohibit products that cannot be made safe.”
Richard Trumka’s statement stirred up a backlash on social media, which included criticism from American politicians. Senator Joe Manchin voiced his opposition, stating that “American families should have the freedom to cook their meals however they choose,” and that his gas stove is “something he would never give up.” Texas Representative Ronnie Jackson was even more direct in his criticism, stating that he would never let go of his gas stove, and that anyone trying to take it away from him would have to do so forcibly. In protest, famous chef Andrew Gruel went as far as tying himself to a gas stove, saying that he is firmly attached to it for life.
Following the backlash, Trumka clarified that the commission would only consider banning the purchase of new gas stoves. He emphasized that regulations are forward-looking and that consumers can choose to keep their existing stoves at home, provided they have all the relevant information. Trumka further noted that the commission is still in the process of gathering information and has not yet made a final decision on any potential restrictions.
Is the controversy over gas stove bans a significant issue for Americans?
Indeed, this is an important topic for Americans, given that 38% of households in the US use gas stoves, with some states like California and New Jersey having usage rates as high as 70%. Even the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had to clarify that President Joe Biden does not endorse a complete ban on gas stoves, and that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, which operates independently of the president, has no such intentions.
If the White House is not supporting it, then who is in favor of banning gas stoves?
In December 2022, a group of senators wrote an open letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, stating that gas stove emissions are more likely to harm vulnerable populations such as Black people, Latin Americans, and low-income families. Members of the Democratic Party believe that these groups are already suffering from polluted air due to living near waste incineration plants, in homes with poor ventilation, and using malfunctioning appliances. Opponents of the ban argue that if gas stoves are prohibited, it will be harder for these vulnerable groups to afford the replacement with an electric stove.
US Law Offers Electric Stove Discounts
Low- and middle-income households can potentially receive government support, as a law passed in the United States in August 2022 allows them to receive up to an $840 discount on the purchase of an electric stove. The law was passed as a result of the nearly 100 US cities that have implemented local bans on connecting gas stoves in new homes since 2019. However, in response, more than 20 states, predominantly controlled by Republicans, have passed laws prohibiting local authorities from restricting the use of gas stoves.
Why are gas appliances deemed so hazardous by US authorities? It seems like a battle over stoves!
In December 2022, a study was published that critics, including Republicans, are pointing to. The study’s authors reviewed 27 scientific publications released after January 2013 that address the impact of gas appliances on children. They found that the use of gas stoves is linked to 12.7% of cases of childhood asthma in the United States, which is comparable to the impact of passive smoking on children.
What’s the Connection Between Gas Stoves and Childhood Asthma?
When using a gas stove, it produces nitrogen dioxide, which can be up to ten times more concentrated in households with gas stoves than in those with electric appliances. This substance can irritate the lungs and impact the development of respiratory diseases. Burning gas also creates air-polluting particles, which are invisible to the naked eye, but can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, as they are only 2.5 micrometers in size.
Was this only recently discovered by scientists?
The danger of gas stoves is not a recent discovery, as demonstrated by a study conducted in 2013, which concluded that cooking with gas increases the risk of childhood asthma. Earlier publications also support this claim, such as a meta-analysis from 1992. Additionally, nitrogen dioxide exacerbates the effects of asthma even in those who already have the condition, increasing the risk of death for patients with severe forms of the disease.
Is asthma the only health risk associated with using gas, or are there other potential hazards?
Regrettably, gas usage has various other hazards. Unburned natural gas that leaks from stoves raises the concentration of benzene in the air, which is a carcinogen that increases the risk of cancer. Such leaks can result in benzene concentrations in a room comparable to those next to a smoker. Even more benzene can be released during gas combustion. Moreover, nitrogen dioxide can exacerbate other chronic lung conditions and is associated with a slight increase in the overall risk of death in some studies. Furthermore, if a gas stove is used improperly, such as for room heating, or if it is defective, there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Using gas stoves without following safety procedures also increases the risk of fire or explosion.
Benefits of Switching to Electric Stoves
Switching to an electric stove, which is considerably safer to operate (an induction stove is also an option), is the most dependable choice. Additionally, it can benefit the environment. Researchers from Stanford University have estimated that methane leaks from gas stoves in American households have the same environmental impact over a year as roughly 500,000 gasoline-powered cars.
But what if I don’t have the ability to switch to an electric stove?
Naturally, not everyone has the option of switching to an electric stove. If you use gas, here are some suggestions to safeguard your health:
- Install a hood in the kitchen that vents outside and use it each time you cook. If the hood doesn’t vent outside, open a window and ventilate the kitchen while using it (regularly ventilating your apartment is generally beneficial).
- Ensure the ventilation in your apartment is functioning properly. If there is condensation on the windows and walls, and there is mold in the apartment, it could be a sign of a problem. In that case, it’s better to seek advice from a specialist (who should ideally inspect the ventilation annually).
- Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home and test its operation periodically. It’s best to install it where the alarm will wake you up at night. The detector’s battery should be replaced every six months, and the device itself should be replaced at least once every five years.
- Use electric appliances, such as a microwave or toaster, on some days instead of cooking with gas.
- Invest in an air purifier – it can aid in filtering solid particles from the air (and certain filters may even eliminate gases). However, this should be regarded as an additional measure and not relied upon entirely. According to some specialists, a HEPA filter is recommended as it can effectively capture solid particles of varying sizes. Nevertheless, HEPA filters do not eliminate gases – other filters like photocatalytic filters can assist in addressing that issue.
If I enjoy preparing high-end cuisine and intricate dishes, is a gas stove more suitable for this? Is that why professional chefs prefer it?
Cooking with gas being superior to other methods is simply a marketing myth, often perpetuated by organizations that advocate for the use of gas for cooking, such as the American Gas Association, which promotes gas cooking on Instagram.
The following arguments are commonly cited by chefs who prefer gas stoves:
- Gas stoves allow for faster temperature changes than electric stoves.
- Gas stoves can accommodate dishes made of any material, while only certain iron alloys (such as stainless steel and cast iron) can be used on induction stoves.
In 2022, food critic Ben Mims from the Los Angeles Times conducted a series of experiments and concluded that electric stoves are just as good as gas stoves, but require some time to adjust to, and quick heat control is only necessary in rare situations.
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