Gas Stove Pollutants

There's nothing clean or natural about gas

Using gas to cook releases pollutants into your home that can harm your health.  Nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene, and PM2.5 are just a few of the pollutants emitted by gas stoves that scientists are studying. 

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Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide, or NO2, is a highly reactive and invisible gas created from burning fossil fuels, including burning gas for cooking. At high concentrations, exposure to nitrogen dioxide can cause lung damage. Homes with gas stoves have nitrogen dioxide concentrations 50 – 400% higher than homes with electric stoves. 

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Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a toxic gas that is produced during the incomplete combustion of any carbon-based fuel. In other words, the fuel (gas, oil, wood) only partially burns. Carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood, and so deprives vital organs of oxygen. 

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Benzene

Benzene is a carcinogen for which there no safe level of exposure. Scientists have found that gas stoves release benzene into our homes. Benzene exposure is linked to higher cancer risk, particularly leukemia and other blood cancers.

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PM2.5

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter, also called particulate pollution, that is 2.5 microns in width or smaller. When we breathe in PM2.5 it is deposited deep into the lungs, making it one of the most damaging indoor air pollutants. Cooking with gas creates nearly twice as much PM2.5 in the home as cooking on an electric stove.