“They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”  Isaiah 11:9

 Do gas stoves produce emissions harmful to human health and the environment?  Yes!

Gas stoves emit pollutants that pose health and environmental risks.  These pollutants include nitrogen dioxide, benzene, methane, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.

Gas stoves burn natural gas, which generates many invisible by-products.  The biggest concern for human health is nitrogen dioxide.  This gas is produced when natural gas is burned at high temperatures in the presence of nitrogen in the atmosphere.  Nitrogen dioxide is a pulmonary irritant that can cause respiratory infections, increased sensitivity to allergens, and asthma in children. 

Studies have also found that unburned natural gas leaks from stoves and this gas contains benzene, which is a known carcinogen.

Gas stoves also produce emissions that are bad for the climate.  Burning natural gas produces carbon dioxide which is the most prevalent greenhouse gas.  And unburned natural gas contains another emission, methane.  It has also been found that gas stoves leak unburned methane.  This unburned methane is not harmful to human health but accumulates in the atmosphere where it traps heat and contributes to climate change.

There are healthier, safer alternatives available.  

Alternative options to a gas stove

• Electric coil range – coil ranges cook food faster than electric flat tops but are slow to cool down. And the heat may not be evenly distributed across the pan.  They are easy to clean and relatively inexpensive

• Flat-top stove – creates a more even distribution of heat compared to a coil range.  Flat tops take longer to heat up but tend to cool down faster than coil ranges.

• Induction stoves – use an electromagnetic field to heat cookware directly.  This is faster and more energy efficient than gas stoves. These stoves can be very expensive, ranging from $600 – $9200.00!  They may also require extra electrical wiring, and this stove only works with certain pots and pans

• Other alternatives include multicookers which can pressure cook and sauté, air fryers, toaster ovens, ovens, microwaves, and grills.

If you choose to replace your gas stove with an electric stove, the Inflation Reduction Act provides rebates of up to $840.00 for purchasing new electric appliances

But, if you are unable to replace your current appliances, there are things you can do to reduce your exposure risk.  If your stove has an overhead vent, it should be used each time you cook.  And, it should vent to the outside.  You should also turn the exhaust fan on each time you use the stove.

–Nancy Ritzenthaler, God’s Green Team Member