Judge advances lawsuit against maker of gas stoves

Lawsuit alleges failure to warn customers of gas stove health risks, calls for warning labels

WASHINGTON – A D.C. Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit  against Haier US Appliance Solutions, the maker of GE Appliances. The lawsuit claims that Haier failed to warn consumers that its gas stoves can harm human health, in violation of the District of Columbia’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act. 

The Hon. Donald W. Tunnage set a schedule for the lawsuit to advance to trial. Consumer group U.S. PIRG Education Fund filed the lawsuit in DC Superior Court in May. Haier filed a motion to dismiss in July.

In 2024, U.S. PIRG Education Fund tested two GE Appliance gas stove models. The researchers found nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution levels exceeded the numerical values the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set as health-protective standards for outdoor air. Nitrogen dioxide is associated with a variety of respiratory health harms, such as asthma, and are especially dangerous to children. Rather than seeking damages, the complaint asks the court to order Haier to warn D.C. consumers that GE Appliances stoves produce air pollutants that pose a health risk, and to display information about how consumers can protect their health when operating a gas stove.

Earlier this year, U.S. PIRG Education Fund released a national secret shopper survey. The shoppersfound that the majority of associates at major appliance retailers failed to inform — and, at times, misinformed — customers when asked about the health risks of cooking with gas.

David A. Nicholas of Wolf Popper LLP argued the motion for U.S. PIRG Education Fund at the hearing.

In response U.S. PIRG Education Fund Energy and Utilities Program Director Abe Scarr made the following statement:

“The scientific evidence shows that gas stoves routinely expose unwitting families to potentially dangerous levels of indoor air pollution. Our testing found results consistent with decades of scientific research showing that the normal operation of gas stoves produces health-harming pollution. 

“Consumers have a right to know and manufacturers are obligated to disclose these risks. We look forward to making our case at trial.”