A recent study has found that 12.7% of childhood asthma can be attributed to household gas stove usage, leading to renewed debate over whether or not to ban the appliances.
Another academic analysis found that children living in homes where gas stoves are used for cooking are 42% more likely to have asthma.
When turned on and in use, gas stoves pollute the air in kitchens and release dangerous chemicals such as nitrogen dioxide and benzene into the air. Children are particularly vulnerable to these pollutants as their lungs are still developing.
Cleveland Clinic pediatric pulmonary specialist Dr. John Carl said that even short-term exposure in an indoor environment can make childhood asthma worse.
Parents should look out for signs of asthma developing or worsening and be forthcoming with their pediatrician when their child is being evaluated for asthma.
To mitigate the health effects of cooking with gas, Harvard Health recommends turning on hoods over stoves that vent to the outdoors, and opening windows while cooking to improve ventilation. The head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the White House have come out against a gas stove ban.
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