Healthier Holiday: Minimizing the health risks of cooking with gas

Gas stoves have been shown to emit levels of NO2 above levels that the EPA has set to protect public health. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide, even at low levels for a short time frame, can worsen symptoms of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. The developing lungs of children are especially vulnerable. Exposure to NO2 increases the likelihood of a child developing asthma symptoms by 42%, and the odds of a lifetime diagnosis by 24%.

A Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory simulation found that running a gas stove for just one hour with no ventilation could raise indoor concentrations of carbon monoxide by 30% compared to the average home, reaching 3,000 parts per billion of carbon monoxide in the air. Short-term exposure to carbon monoxide can result in negative health impacts including memory loss, dizziness, headaches and seizures, while more severe exposure can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, loss of consciousness, permanent brain damage and death.

Proper ventilation is important while using any type of stove, but it’s absolutely essential if your stove is fueled by gas. The best kind of ventilation is that of a ducted range hood, which is installed above the stove to catch air and smoke as it rises, and moves the polluted air outside the home. Always use your range hood for the entire duration of stove use— turn it on when you start cooking, and don’t turn it off until you’re done.

Holiday meals often require a lot of cooking. There’s the main event— the Thanksgiving turkey, or Christmas ham, for example— but there are also a lot of fixings and sides. When cooking a lot all at once, you can minimize the amount you need to use your gas stove with a portable induction cooktop. Portable induction cooktops can be used on your countertop and plugged into a normal outlet. They can be used instead of a normal gas range for anything you would usually cook on your stovetop. Without combusting methane gas to ignite the blue flame, you can cook your mashed potatoes, your cranberry sauce or whatever your favorite side dish might be. 

Induction cooktops can be purchased for less than $100. Check with your local electric utility – some have incentive programs that would cover some or all of the cost. Many local libraries, with “libraries of things” allow you to borrow an induction cooktop. 

If you are not in a position to replace your entire range, or install externally venting ducted ventilation,  there are other measures you can take to improve indoor air quality: 

• Open up some windows to create a draft. 
• If you have a window fan, run it on exhaust every time you cook. 
• Consider purchasing a carbon monoxide sensor so you can keep track of pollution levels while cooking and catch any gas leaks (and make sure all of your carbon monoxide alarms are functional).
• Buy a portable HEPA air purifier with a carbon filter to remove some of the particulate matter produced during cooking.
• When possible, use an alternative to your oven to cook your turkey or other holiday treats without running a gas-powered oven for hours on end.
  • Electric powered Turkey roasters work well and can be purchased for under $100.
  • You can place your turkey on a roasting pan in the grill with the lid down.
  • Countertop electric toaster ovens work great for pies and batches of holiday cookies. 

To avoid the health risks associated with gas combustion indoors entirely, consider purchasing an electric or induction stove or range next time the appliance needs to be replaced. Electric stoves have been rated superior by Consumer Reports, beating out gas in all of the four tests performed. The popularity of induction stoves has also grown recently, as the newer, magnetic heating technology boasts unbeatable energy efficiency and safety, and heats up even faster than gas with the same level of precise temperature control. 

The Inflation Reduction Act includes $4.5 billion in funding for states to provide rebates for energy efficient appliances. You could save up to $840 on a new electric or induction stove, and up to an additional $500 if you are switching from gas or propane. You can also use Inflation Reduction Act tax credits to help cover the cost of any needed electrical upgrades.  

While purchasing a new stove or range is a considerable investment, you could always opt instead for a portable, countertop induction burner, which can be purchased for less than $100, and is an excellent way to initially test the waters of induction.

Finally, if for any reason induction is not right for you, traditional electric flattop and electric coil stoves also remove the health risks posed by gas from your kitchen.

If you’re not ready to part ways with your gas stove, it’s incredibly important to ensure that you are utilizing proper and efficient ventilation. When buying a new range hood, there’s a few things to pay attention to in order to ensure the best fit for your home.

• Types of hoods
  • Range hoods come in a variety of different styles. The best models are over-the-range hoods, which are mounted to the wall, hung from the ceiling, or installed under a cabinet. Microwave hoods and downdraft hoods are less effective at protecting your health.
• Ducted or non ducted
  • Ducted vent hoods actually capture the air from your kitchen and release it outdoors, which is the best method for ensuring good air quality. Non-ducted vents do not move air outside, but recirculate the air in your kitchen after cleaning it first through either a charcoal or mesh filter. Charcoal filters are better, but need to be replaced at least every three to six months, while mesh filters can be removed and cleaned.