Asthma and gas stoves
You have probably seen the headlines about gas stoves and asthma. If you’re like most parents, it may have made you worry. Here’s what we think.
This is a collaborative post created in consultation with my friend and colleague, Dr Manisha Relan, a board certified pediatric allergist.
This is not a political post; we are simply providing some perspective on the data that is currently available and some practical tips for how to minimize the risk to your family.
Gas stoves
About 30-40% of households in the US use gas stoves, so when we suddenly saw headlines concerning their safety and asthma, it is no surprise that parents paid attention. Remember: websites get traffic if they provide fear-mongering, black and white headlines that are fashioned as click bait. You want to make sure you’re getting your information from qualified experts who do not have any self-interest in the topic.
The truth is that this data, and these associations are not new. And there is some basis to the concern. But - as with most things - the world is not so black-and-white.
Here’s what you should know:
Cooking and burning (no matter what appliance you use) by its nature will result in by-products in the atmosphere. Both electric and gas stoves increase the amount of particulate matter in the air, as well as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and more.
These by-products can linger in the atmosphere, but being outdoors obviously helps them dissipate more quickly. When indoors, especially in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation, they may build up.
These byproducts are also a significant contributor to climate pollution, which is relevant for everyone, regardless of your propensity to develop asthma.
Nitrogen dioxide
This is the by-product that generates much of the concern. a known respiratory irritant. Gas stoves have long been known to substantially increase the concentration of N02 in the air (PMID: 9949739; 24192135; 35110684).
The World Health Organization and the EPA have guidelines about nitrogen dioxide exposure (the EPA guidelines only address outdoor exposure). But the widespread understanding is that prolonged exposure to nitrogen dioxide is associated with respiratory illness.
Asthma
Nitrogen dioxide has been correlated with asthma in multiple studies in adults and children (although that the majority of these are not RCTs; PMID 8618483; 23962958; 36612391).
More specifically, some studies attribute about 13% of US childhood asthma cases to gas stove use.
However, Asthma is a multifactorial illness. It develops due to a combination of genetic predisposition plus environmental factors.
Some of the environmental factors that are known to increase the risk of developing asthma include biomass/wood smoke exposure, cigarette smoke exposure, pollution, mold, dust, allergens and more. Even RSV in infancy can increase the risk.
Yes, nitrogen dioxide is also on the list. And while burning gas is one source of nitrogen dioxide, it is not the only source. Another common source of nitrogen dioxide emissions is motor vehicles.
My kids are at high risk for asthma and we have a gas stove! What can I do?
First off, I want you to remember that you can only control what you can control. We all have risk factors, either known or unknown, for a variety of conditions — and we only have so much control over our environments.
So while it is important to do your best to minimize risk, sometimes this is impossible. Making sure we have a healthcare team that we trust to address any concerning symptoms is the other part of this equation.
Here are some practical tips
Avoid smoking tobacco indoors
Avoid wood stove cooking and heating (biomass combustion)
Limit use of kerosene or gas space heaters
If you have high risk family members - or if you are in the process of looking for a new home/remodeling your kitchen - and it is practical and possible to switch to a electric coil or induction stove, this is worth considering.
When cooking (regardless of the type of stove you own — but especially if cooking on gas), turn on the vent hood. Ideally, your vent hood is venting to the outdoors.
Cook in a well-ventilated place —> open the windows if you can.
Some modeling data suggests that an effective kitchen exhaust fan could decrease serious asthma events by 7-12% (PMID: 23910689)
Consider purchasing an air purifier with HEPA/carbon filters. These have been shown to decrease the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (PMID: 24329966).
Focus on controlling other environmental risk factors, including addressing allergens, mold, dust and other triggers.
IF your child does have asthma, make sure you have an updated asthma action plan and are following your doctor’s recommendations so it is as well controlled as possible.
