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In the U.S., 38% of homes depend on gas cookstoves. The gas-fueled appliance has a committed following, with chefs and serious cooks long attesting to its—perceived—superiority over electric stoves.
But the safety of gas cookstoves has been called into question. The appliance emits pollutants that are harmful to human health and the environment. In fact, the more scientists understand these pollutants, the more concerning gas stoves become.
“You would never stand over the tailpipe of a car and willingly breathe the exhaust, yet that’s the same thing we do every day [with gas stoves],” saidRob Jackson, a professor of earth system science at Stanford University.
Combustion of natural gas or propane—which gives the gas stove its heat—produces a variety of pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and benzene among others. Not only do gas stoves emit these chemicals when they’re on, but research has shown that they also leak pollutants when they’re off.
A Health Risk
Benzene, another compound emitted from gas stoves, is a known carcinogen also found in secondhand smoke.A 2022 study showed that gas stoves emit benzene even when they aren’t in use.While there isn’t data measuring cancer rates among people living with a gas stove, in 2019 the WHO stated that there were no safe levels of benzene exposure.
Carbon monoxide also poses a risk to gas stove users. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the more familiar risk, but it typically occurs only if a gas stove malfunctions. Low levels of carbon monoxide emitted from a properly working gas stove can also have health consequences. The EPA reported that homes with a properly functioning gas stove have 3 to 10 times more carbon monoxide in the air.And in homes where the stove is poorly ventilated, it can be much more.
There’s research showing this low dose of carbon monoxide—levels that are elevated but not enough to trigger a carbon monoxide alarm or cause carbon monoxide poisoning—can exacerbate cardiovascular disease in vulnerable populations.
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Environmental Consequences
Gas stoves are not just a risk to human health, though. “Methane leaks from gas stoves into people’s homes even while [the stove] is off,” saidEric Lebel, Ph.D., a senior scientist at PSE Health Energy, a science nonprofit specializing in energy policy, referencing his 2022 study measuring indoor methane leakage of gas stoves. Methane “is a strong greenhouse gas, over 80 times stronger than carbon dioxide,” he said.
“Because methane is so strong, those tiny leaks do matter,” Lebel said. “And it’s not just from the gas appliance but the transport of that gas to your home. That’s also part of the climate impact of burning that gas in your home.”
Gas stoves have higher emissions than electric stoves—especially when you account for leaking, Jackson said. In some states where the electric grid runs on coal, an electric stove won’t be a lot more environmentally safe. But as the energy gets cleaner—and in states where they’re already prioritizing clean energy—electric stoves will become far superior for the environment, he said.
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How to Reduce Your Risks
While the health and environmental risks of a gas stove are serious, gas stove users have options to lower their risk. The one that best suits you comes down to budget.
“If you’re fortunate to have the money,” Jackson said, replacing your gas stove is the best option, even if the stove isn’t at the end of its life. The trouble is, it’s an expensive transition. But research shows it can have a big impact.
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If replacing your stove isn’t an option, you want to make sure your stove is properly vented. “Every time your oven is on, your ventilation is on even if you’re just boiling water,” Lebel said.
While a hood vent doesn’t eliminate pollutants, one that vents to the outside can remove 30% to 50% of pollutants, Jackson said. Many cheaper vents, however, aren’t actually connected to the outdoors. These vents just recirculate or dilute pollutants. That might be safer for the person immediately cooking, but those pollutants are pushed throughout the house, Jackson said.
Gas stoves do come with real health and environmental risks. But the good news is “there are things that can be done to reduce health exposure and climate impacts,” Lebel said.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Environmental Science & Technology.Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.Lin W, Brunekreef B, Gehring U.Meta-analysis of the effects of indoor nitrogen dioxide and gas cooking on asthma and wheeze in children. Int J Epidemiol. 2013;42(6):1724-37. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyt150Puzzolo E, Fleeman N, Lorenzetti F, et al.Estimated health effects from domestic use of gaseous fuels for cooking and heating in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analyses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2024;12(4):281-293.World Health Organization.WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide.American Public Health Association.Gas Stove Emissions Are a Public Health Concern: Exposure to Indoor Nitrogen Dioxide Increases Risk of Illness in Children, Older Adults, and People with Underlying Health Conditions.Kashtan YS, Nicholson M, Finnegan C, et al.Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air Pollution.Environ. Sci. Technol. 2023;57:9653−9663.Lebel ED, Michanowicz DR, Bilsback KR, et al.Composition, Emissions, and Air Quality Impacts of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Unburned Natural Gas from Residential Stoves in California.Environ. Sci. Technol.2022;56(22):15828–15838.World Health Organization.Exposure to Benzene: A Major Public Health Concern.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Carbon Monoxide’s Impact on Indoor Air Quality.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide.Lebel ED, Finnegan CJ, Ouyang Z, Jackson RB.Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.Environ. Sci. Technol.2022;56(4):2529–2539.Gould CF, Bejarano ML, De La Cuesta B.Climate and health benefits of a transition from gas to electric cooking.Environ. Sci.2023;120(34).
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Environmental Science & Technology.Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.Lin W, Brunekreef B, Gehring U.Meta-analysis of the effects of indoor nitrogen dioxide and gas cooking on asthma and wheeze in children. Int J Epidemiol. 2013;42(6):1724-37. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyt150Puzzolo E, Fleeman N, Lorenzetti F, et al.Estimated health effects from domestic use of gaseous fuels for cooking and heating in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analyses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2024;12(4):281-293.World Health Organization.WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide.American Public Health Association.Gas Stove Emissions Are a Public Health Concern: Exposure to Indoor Nitrogen Dioxide Increases Risk of Illness in Children, Older Adults, and People with Underlying Health Conditions.Kashtan YS, Nicholson M, Finnegan C, et al.Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air Pollution.Environ. Sci. Technol. 2023;57:9653−9663.Lebel ED, Michanowicz DR, Bilsback KR, et al.Composition, Emissions, and Air Quality Impacts of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Unburned Natural Gas from Residential Stoves in California.Environ. Sci. Technol.2022;56(22):15828–15838.World Health Organization.Exposure to Benzene: A Major Public Health Concern.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Carbon Monoxide’s Impact on Indoor Air Quality.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide.Lebel ED, Finnegan CJ, Ouyang Z, Jackson RB.Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.Environ. Sci. Technol.2022;56(4):2529–2539.Gould CF, Bejarano ML, De La Cuesta B.Climate and health benefits of a transition from gas to electric cooking.Environ. Sci.2023;120(34).
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Environmental Science & Technology.Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.Lin W, Brunekreef B, Gehring U.Meta-analysis of the effects of indoor nitrogen dioxide and gas cooking on asthma and wheeze in children. Int J Epidemiol. 2013;42(6):1724-37. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyt150Puzzolo E, Fleeman N, Lorenzetti F, et al.Estimated health effects from domestic use of gaseous fuels for cooking and heating in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analyses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2024;12(4):281-293.World Health Organization.WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide.American Public Health Association.Gas Stove Emissions Are a Public Health Concern: Exposure to Indoor Nitrogen Dioxide Increases Risk of Illness in Children, Older Adults, and People with Underlying Health Conditions.Kashtan YS, Nicholson M, Finnegan C, et al.Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air Pollution.Environ. Sci. Technol. 2023;57:9653−9663.Lebel ED, Michanowicz DR, Bilsback KR, et al.Composition, Emissions, and Air Quality Impacts of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Unburned Natural Gas from Residential Stoves in California.Environ. Sci. Technol.2022;56(22):15828–15838.World Health Organization.Exposure to Benzene: A Major Public Health Concern.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Carbon Monoxide’s Impact on Indoor Air Quality.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide.Lebel ED, Finnegan CJ, Ouyang Z, Jackson RB.Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.Environ. Sci. Technol.2022;56(4):2529–2539.Gould CF, Bejarano ML, De La Cuesta B.Climate and health benefits of a transition from gas to electric cooking.Environ. Sci.2023;120(34).
Environmental Science & Technology.Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.
Lin W, Brunekreef B, Gehring U.Meta-analysis of the effects of indoor nitrogen dioxide and gas cooking on asthma and wheeze in children. Int J Epidemiol. 2013;42(6):1724-37. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyt150
Puzzolo E, Fleeman N, Lorenzetti F, et al.Estimated health effects from domestic use of gaseous fuels for cooking and heating in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analyses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2024;12(4):281-293.
World Health Organization.WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
American Public Health Association.Gas Stove Emissions Are a Public Health Concern: Exposure to Indoor Nitrogen Dioxide Increases Risk of Illness in Children, Older Adults, and People with Underlying Health Conditions.
Kashtan YS, Nicholson M, Finnegan C, et al.Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air Pollution.Environ. Sci. Technol. 2023;57:9653−9663.
Lebel ED, Michanowicz DR, Bilsback KR, et al.Composition, Emissions, and Air Quality Impacts of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Unburned Natural Gas from Residential Stoves in California.Environ. Sci. Technol.2022;56(22):15828–15838.
World Health Organization.Exposure to Benzene: A Major Public Health Concern.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.Carbon Monoxide’s Impact on Indoor Air Quality.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide.
Lebel ED, Finnegan CJ, Ouyang Z, Jackson RB.Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.Environ. Sci. Technol.2022;56(4):2529–2539.
Gould CF, Bejarano ML, De La Cuesta B.Climate and health benefits of a transition from gas to electric cooking.Environ. Sci.2023;120(34).
