Cooking on natural gas stoves is an under-recognized and important source of indoor air pollution, creating nitrogen dioxide and other compounds. File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI | License Photo
More than one-third of American households rely on natural gas stoves to prepare their meals.
Burning natural gas generates carbon dioxide, which is the main driver of climate change. But cooking on gas stoves is also an under-recognized and important source of indoor air pollution. Combustion of natural gas creates nitrogen dioxide and other compounds that can irritate the lungs.
People with preexisting respiratory conditions, such as the 28 million Americans with asthma, may be especially susceptible. An analysis of more than 40 studies found a correlation between nitrogen dioxide levels and asthma symptoms.
I am a physician and medical researcher, and my colleagues and I recently completed the first study to examine whether replacing gas stoves with electric stoves can improve asthma symptoms.
