Gas Stove Emissions Pose Significant Health Risks, Pasadena Public Health Department Reports

Pasadena Public Health released a comprehensive report highlighting the potential health risks associated with gas stove emissions and providing practical guidance for residents to minimize exposure.

The report, led by Manuel Carmona, director of Pasadena Public Health, synthesizes recent peer-reviewed research to educate the community about the dangers of indoor air pollutants generated by gas cooking appliances.

“When gas is burned, air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (‘NO2’), carbon monoxide (‘CO’), benzene, and formaldehyde are released,” the report explains. These pollutants can spread throughout homes, potentially causing serious respiratory issues, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and older adults.

Research shows that gas stoves can create significant health challenges, the department reported.

Short-term exposure to high concentrations of pollutants can aggravate asthma and respiratory diseases, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

Long-term exposure may contribute to asthma development, especially in children.

The report offers multiple strategies to reduce health risks.

The most effective approach is replacing gas stoves with electric or induction models.

One study demonstrated that such a replacement can decrease nitrogen dioxide concentrations by 51% in the kitchen and 42% in bedrooms.

For residents unable to immediately replace their stoves, the report recommends several mitigation strategies.

These include using range hood exhaust fans that vent outside and maintaining an airflow of at least 95 liters per second.

Opening windows during cooking and using high-efficiency air purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters can further reduce indoor air pollution.

“Benzene produced by gas and propane stoves also migrated throughout homes, in some cases elevating bedroom benzene concentrations above chronic health benchmarks for hours after the stove was turned off,” noted Rob Jackson, professor of Earth System Science at Stanford University.

Pasadena Water and Power is supporting residents’ efforts to reduce health risks by offering rebates for customers replacing gas stoves with electric ranges.

Interested residents can visit the Pasadena Water and Power home electrification website or call (626) 744-6970 for more information.