Bay Area doctors and community members speak out for clean air

Last month, more than 70 doctors, environmentalists, and community members attended the December Board of Directors meeting for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District).

I can guess what you may be asking yourself: why in the world were more than 70 people attending a meeting of a governing body I’d only recently heard of, the week after Thanksgiving? 

The answer: people want cleaner air and fewer climate-warming emissions.

The meeting offered an important opportunity for community members to voice their support for the Air District’s implementation of a critical effort: implementing zero-nitrogen oxide emission standards for water heaters and furnaces.

Why are nitrogen oxides (NOx) bad?

Nitrogen oxides (NOx), like nitrogen dioxide, are a group of highly reactive gases released into our air when we burn fuel, including when we use fossil fuel-powered appliances in our homes. They can lead to respiratory issues, including asthma, COPD, and decreased lung function growth in children. Exposure to NO2 gases has even been linked to premature death. In 2023, the Air District adopted new regulations to reduce the harmful NOx emissions released by some home appliances.

How bad are emissions from our appliances?

The air pollution created by fossil fuel-powered appliances is nothing to sneeze at. Gas appliances in homes and buildings release nearly four times the nitrogen oxide as all of California’s gas power plants. Air pollution increases the risk of stroke, COPD, lung cancer and other adverse health impacts. Children, whose lungs are still developing, are particularly at risk of developing respiratory illnesses associated with gas pollution. 

Implementing a zero-NOx emission standard for our appliances will mean cleaner air for our kids and our communities.

What’s the alternative?

There are several alternatives to fossil-fuel-powered appliances. One alternative is a heat pump. Not only do heat pumps help improve air quality, but they are also more efficient at heating and cooling our homes. Heat pump technology can also be used to heat our water. Electricity can also power conventional storage tank water heaters and on-demand water heaters. When families add solar panels to their homes, the electricity needed to heat our water and homes can be generated even more cleanly.

It doesn’t make sense to rely on gas-fired appliances that emit harmful pollutants and climate-warming emissions when we have better, healthier alternatives.

The crowd of supporters at the December meeting affirmed that many people recognize this truth and want to make the transition a feasible reality in their homes and communities. With some of the worst air quality in the country, it’s critical that California’s Air Districts prioritize effective and efficient strategies to combat air pollution. Transitioning to zero-NOx emission water heaters and furnaces is the right direction to go. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District should continue this important work.