Gas stove emissions in Europe: An overlooked health crisis
Using gas stoves in Europe is a significant issue leading to the death of 40,000 people annually. As reported by "The Guardian," this number is twice as high as the fatalities in car accidents.
A study by Jaume I University in Spain revealed that using gas stoves can reduce the average person's lifespan by almost two years. The study's lead author, Juana María Delgado-Saborit, who runs an environmental health research lab, emphasised that the scale of this problem is much greater than previously thought.
According to the study, 36,031 premature deaths annually are directly attributed to gas stoves in the European Union, with an additional 3,928 deaths recorded in the United Kingdom. Notably, these figures are only estimates as they account solely for the impact of nitrogen dioxide, excluding other hazardous gases like carbon monoxide or benzene, which also negatively affect health.
Way back in 1978, we first learned that NO2 pollution is many times greater in kitchens using gas than electric cookers. But only now are we able to put a number on the amount of lives being cut short - emphasised Delgado-Saborit, as quoted by "The Guardian".
Currently, one-third of households in the European Union use gas stoves, while in the United Kingdom, this rate is as high as 54 per cent. In countries like Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and Hungary, over 60 per cent of households use this type of appliance.
Are gas stoves dangerous?
Gas stoves burn fossil gas, releasing harmful substances into the air. These substances, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to health problems for household members. Regular exposure to these toxic gases can increase the risk of respiratory diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
As reported by theguardian.com, the European Union tightened outdoor air quality regulations this month but did not implement standards for indoor air. The European Public Health Alliance is calling on policymakers to take action to phase out gas stoves.
The organisation proposes introducing emission limits, offering financial support for replacing these appliances with more environmentally friendly options, and requiring manufacturers to label stoves based on pollution risk.
