‘Worse than passive smoking’: Warning about gas stoves

A new study has revealed the health risks of gas stoves, saying they produce cancer-causing chemicals “worse than passive smoking”.

Warning about gas stoves.

Gas stoves and ovens have been linked to cancer-causing chemicals and are “worse than passive smoking”, according to a new study.

Researchers, from Stanford University in the US, analysed stoves in 87 homes across California and Colorado while they were turned on (as opposed to leaks from turned-off stoves).

They found that a cooktop burner on high or an oven set to 180C can raise the levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, in a house to above those of second-hand tobacco smoke.

The study found that the levels of benzene produced by gas stoves was higher than that of passive smoking.

“Mean benzene emissions from gas and propane burners on high and ovens set to 350F [180 C] ranged from 2.8 to 6.5 μg min–1, 10 to 25 times higher than emissions from electric coil and radiant alternatives,” the study said.

It emphasised that the benzene exposure came from the burning of gas itself and benzene emissions were not detected in the food that was being cooked.

The scientists also found that oven-produced benzene could migrate to other rooms and linger in the home for several hours.

“Benzene produced by gas and propane stoves also migrated throughout homes, in some cases elevating bedroom benzene concentrations above chronic health benchmarks for hours after the stove was turned off,” the study read.

“Combustion of gas and propane from stoves may be a substantial benzene exposure pathway and can reduce indoor air quality.”

Scientist Rob Jackson said “good ventilation” helped to reduce benzene exposure. Picture: Thinkstock

Rob Jackson, senior author of the study, said “good ventilation” helped to reduce benzene exposure but “exhaust fans were often ineffective”.

Chronic benzene exposure is linked to a range of blood cancers, including childhood leukaemia, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to the American Cancer Society.

In Australia, the ACT has banned gas connections to new homes in a bid to push residents towards greener forms of energy. The Australian Energy Regulator, too, has capped the fee that can be charged for people wanting to disconnect from gas.