Gas stoves emit harmful benzene, could be worse than smoking
We know a lot about the negative effects of smoking, both active and passive. However, it turns out there are things that can be even more harmful, and we use them regularly. Professor Rob Jackson from Stanford University decided to remove the gas stove from his home due to its harmful effects.
Under Professor Jackson's leadership, the research team discovered that gas stoves emit large amounts of benzene. The results of the study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, suggest that stoves may be more dangerous to health than cigarette smoke.
People exposed to long-term benzene exposure may be at increased risk of developing leukemia and other blood cancers. Although benzene is present in cigarette smoke, its concentration in the air from gas stoves can be higher than in passive smoking.
Professor Jackson responds to the results of his own research
I didn’t expect to see pollutant concentrations breach health benchmarks in bedrooms within an hour of gas stove use, and stay there for hours after the stove is turned off - explained Prof. Jackson in a press interview, justifying the removal of the gas stove.
The decision was the result of pollution measurements in his home.
Benzene is produced in the combustion process, so those at risk are not only smokers or people near fires but also people breathing polluted urban air. Research conducted in 87 homes in California and Colorado showed that in about 30% of cases, using gas stoves caused higher concentrations of benzene than those inhaled by passive smokers.
Gas stove can pose a threat
Data published in June 2023 indicates that the benzene problem is not limited to the kitchen, as this gas spreads throughout the house, even reaching the bedrooms. With inadequate ventilation, benzene concentration can remain high even after the stove is turned off.
Jackson's research does not indicate that the age or condition of the device significantly affects benzene emissions. The key factor was adequate ventilation, but not all range hoods work effectively enough. Some devices, instead of expelling the gas, cause its recirculation.
The discoveries made by Prof. Jackson's team may support those advocating for the elimination of gas installations in buildings, especially since electric induction cooktops do not emit benzene. Previous studies suggest that using gas stoves may be responsible for 13% of asthma cases in children in the USA.
On the other hand, one must consider the operating costs of induction plates compared to gas stoves and the risk associated with relying on a single energy source—power outages mean no cooking options, which is not a problem with a gas stove.
