“Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Associated Demographic Disparities Due to Gas and Propane Combustion by U.S. Stoves”

Researchers at Stanford University have new evidence that the most harmful source of pollutants to human health is the kitchen gas stove. The new study indicates how indoor exposure to nitrogen dioxide impacts asthma and other respiratory conditions. The study abstract, written by Yannai Kashtan, Metta Nicolson, Colin J. Finnegan, Zutao Ouyang, Anchal Garag, Eric D. Lebel, Sebastian T. Rowland, Drew R. Michanowicz, Janet Herrera, Kari C. Nadeau and Robert B. Jackson, posits:

“Gas and propane stoves emit nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) pollution indoors, but the exposures of different U.S. demographic groups are unknown. We estimate NO₂ exposure and health consequences using emissions and concentration measurements from >100 homes, a room-specific indoor air quality model, epidemiological risk parameters, and statistical sampling of housing characteristics and occupant behavior. Gas and propane stoves increase long-term NO₂ exposure 4.0 parts per billion volume on average across the United States, 75% of the World Health Organization’s exposure guideline. This increased exposure likely causes ~50,000 cases of current pediatric asthma from long-term NO₂ exposure alone. Short-term NO₂exposure from typical gas stove use frequently exceeds both World Health Organization and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency benchmarks. People living in residences <800 ft² in size incur four times more long-term NO₂ exposure than people in residences >3000 ft² in size; American Indian/Alaska Native and Black and Hispanic/Latino households incur 60 and 20% more NO₂ exposure, respectively, than the national average.”

The authors emphasize the current lack of measurement and regulation of these indoor pollutants: “Our research shows that pollution from gas and propane stoves disproportionately affects lower-income people and racial and ethnic minorities and that gas and propane stoves are responsible for substantial pediatric asthma and adult mortality. Our results also highlight the importance of including indoor sources of air pollution in future policies designed to protect people from pollutants such as NO₂, benzene, and carbon monoxide.”

Read the full research report from the May 3, 2024 issue of Science Advances.