In a recent US study, researchers have linked gas stoves to asthma in children, concluding that exposure to gas stoves is a major cause of childhood asthma in the United States.
The research team from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) surveyed more than 1,500 children between the ages of 5 and 13 for the study. Participants came from low-income and minority families, as these are the communities that are disproportionately affected by poor air quality overall.
The study found that, in comparison to children who don’t live in homes with gas stoves, those exposed to gas stoves at home were much more likely to have asthma. In fact, exposure to gas stoves increased a child’s likelihood of having asthma by 37%.
The researchers believe that exposure to gas stoves is associated with the high levels of nitrogen dioxide that is released when stoves are lit, as well as to the air pollutants created when food is cooked. These pollutants are linked to asthma, and this finding was consistent with previous studies.
The lead author of the study, UCSF pediatrician Dr. Jane R. Brody, states, “Our study not only confirms earlier findings that gas stove use increases asthma risk, but also understands why and how these risks might be minimized.”
The study found that gas stoves had the greatest effect when they were used to cook in the same room as the children, as this type of exposure was associated with double the risk of asthma. The researchers suggest that other rooms in the home should be used for cooking when possible, and that exhaust fans should also be used to reduce the risk of exposure to toxic pollutants.
It is important to note that this study only looked at the risk of developing childhood asthma. Other ailments that may be linked to gas stoves, such as respiratory and cardiovascular issues, were not studied.
This research is a timely reminder that gas stoves should be taken seriously in terms of potential health risks, especially for children living in homes using gas stoves. While more research is needed to understand the full dangers of this form of cooking, it is important to safeguard ourselves, and particularly our children, by reducing our exposure to these pollutants as much as possible.
