Gas stove emits carcinogenic products into the air Canaltech

Gas stove emits carcinogenic products into the air Canaltech

The gas stove is one of the most common household appliances in Brazilian homes although firewood continues to be used in some poorer areas and electric stoves have been introduced in the most modern homes. Despite its popularity, cooking on a gas stove may not be a good idea for your health, as the preparation emits benzene into the air, a chemical known for its carcinogenic potential. Other harmful compounds are also released, such as nitrogen dioxide.

In a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, Stanford University researchers found that gas stoves increase internal levels of the cancercausing benzene above levels found in passive smokers. A total of 87 homes across the United States were evaluated.

Such a high release of the carcinogenic chemical is achieved with normal use of a gas stove. For example, if the chef uses a high flame or sets the oven temperature to 176°C or higher. In addition to the current emission, benzene remains for a few hours, polluting the air in the house and getting into the rooms. On the other hand, the same research found that induction cooktops emit no detectable benzene.

What is benzene?

Because of its risks, benzene is on the World Health Organization (WHO) list of the top ten chemical health issues. This is because it can have an impact on both the environment and the health of a population. In humans, it is linked to an increased risk of leukemia and other blood cancers.

What is the main source of exposure to benzene?

“The primary source of environmental exposure to benzene is gasoline evaporation,” states the National Cancer Institute (INCA). Even “in large metropolitan areas, where there is a higher concentration of vehicles, populations are exposed to worrying levels of benzene in the air,” the institute adds.

“We now know that benzene is also formed in the flames of gas stoves in our homes,” said Rob Jackson, senior author of the study and a professor at Stanford University, in a note on the risks of the pollutant’s combustion byproduct concentrations [na cozinha]but we found that fume hoods were often not effective in preventing exposure to benzene.”

How to reduce benzene emissions from gas stove?

Given the evidence pointing to the benzene emissions associated with gas ranges, a radical proposal is to replace the current appliance with an electric range. However, this is an impractical measure, especially when there are no incentives or national campaigns to facilitate this habit change.

A more realistic strategy is to always cook with the windows and doors open in the kitchen and allow for maximum ventilation, although this will slightly affect the strength of the flame. The use of exhaust fans or fans can help with this distribution, although they are not 100% effective.

Although this risk was not measured in the current study, it is worth noting that caution should be exercised among those who cook daily, as they are most exposed to benzene released from gas stoves.

It should be remembered that, in addition to benzene, this type of stove is already known for its high methane emissions, a gas associated with the greenhouse effect. Previous studies have shown that methane release continues even when the device is turned off.

Source: INCA, Environmental Science & Technology and Stanford University