Stanford study reveals gas stoves emit carcinogens surpassing tobacco smoke
Professor Rob Jackson, who is affiliated with Stanford University, recently decided to remove his gas stove following a concerning discovery by his research team. Their findings, published in Environmental Science & Technology, reveal that volatile substances emitted by gas stoves could be more harmful than tobacco smoke.
23 April 2024 17:44
Jackson's team uncovered that gas stoves release concerning levels of benzene—a chemical compound associated with leukaemia and other blood malignancies. Although benzene is also a component of secondhand tobacco smoke, the levels produced by gas stoves in the atmosphere can be significantly more elevated.
Professor Jackson shocked by his research findings
Upon reviewing his team's research outcomes, Professor Jackson was taken aback, leading him to dispose of his gas stove. In a media interview, he noted how he had observed the rapid increase in pollution levels inside his home. This realization spurred him to take action to eliminate the source of benzene emissions promptly.
Benzene production results from combustion, posing a risk to those exposed to tobacco smoke or forest fires and individuals in environments polluted with smog. Benzene is one of the most hazardous carcinogens in the air. An investigation involving 87 homes in California and Colorado found that about 30% experienced higher benzene levels due to gas stove and oven use at elevated temperatures compared to those exposed to secondhand smoke.
Gas stove – a threat beyond the kitchen
The study indicated that the age and make of the stove were less significant factors in benzene emission than previously thought. Although proper ventilation can mitigate benzene exposure, not all systems effectively purify the air. Some recirculating ventilation setups were found to reintroduce pollutants into the home's interior instead of expelling them outdoors.
These findings are a boon for initiatives to remove gas installations from buildings, although they might be unwelcome news for the fossil fuel industry. Electric stoves produce 10 to 25 times fewer benzene emissions compared to those using natural gas or propane, where emissions arise primarily from food combustion. Moreover, induction cooktops are noted for their lack of benzene emissions. Earlier studies indicated that gas stove usage could be linked to as many as 13% of childhood asthma cases in the USA.
