As a parent, it’s natural to be vigilant about potential hazards that could threaten our children’s well-being. After becoming a mother, I began to view the world through a lens of caution—whether it was a busy road, unfamiliar faces, or even the cleaning supplies stored beneath the kitchen sink. My goal has always been to shield my kids from any dangers.
As a pediatrician and environmental scientist, I recognize that many of us unknowingly expose our children to risks each time we prepare a meal, adjust the thermostat during winter, or do laundry. This is largely due to the natural gas that fuels our stoves and heats our homes. This gas releases a toxic mix of pollutants—such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, and fine particulate matter—into the air, which our children then breathe in.
Recent findings have revealed alarming statistics: children raised in homes with gas stoves face a 42% increased risk of developing asthma symptoms. This risk is even higher for families living in smaller, poorly ventilated spaces like apartments.
Historically, coal-fired power plants contributed the majority of air pollution in the U.S. and posed significant public health risks. However, gas has now taken its place, marketed as a cleaner alternative. The truth is that gas creates its own set of environmental issues. Today, gas combustion emits more carbon pollution than coal in the United States, making it the leading contributor to carbon emissions globally. This threatens to undermine the progress we’ve made toward the Paris Climate Agreement goals. From extraction to consumption, U.S.-sourced gas is harmful, contaminating air and soil, leaking methane—a greenhouse gas that is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year span—throughout its transportation process.
Moreover, gas is associated with dangerous accidents, including explosions that can devastate homes and businesses. Recent research from Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Rocky Mountain Institute highlights a grim reality: in 19 states and Washington D.C., pollution from natural gas caused more fatalities than coal in 2017. Fossil fuel air pollution is responsible for nearly one in five premature deaths worldwide, including approximately 350,000 in the U.S. in 2018 alone.
Fortunately, there are actionable steps we can take to mitigate these risks. Families in a position to do so should consider replacing gas stoves with electric or induction models. On a broader scale, policymakers must promote a transition away from gas dependency, implementing regulations that mandate all-electric new constructions and facilitate retrofitting for existing homes and businesses. It is crucial to ensure that low-income families and communities of color, which often face higher exposure to indoor air pollution, receive adequate governmental support to switch to electric appliances.
A recent study suggests that we could achieve an 80% clean energy grid by 2030 (and 90% by 2035) without increasing costs for consumers, even with rapid electrification of buildings and transportation. This shift could prevent over $1 trillion in public health expenses while generating $1.5 trillion in investments.
Gas exposure poses risks to our families that we would never accept in other aspects of our lives. We meticulously check the safety ratings of everything that comes into contact with our children, from furniture to toys. Why don’t we apply the same scrutiny to the air they breathe at home?
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Summary:
This article highlights the hidden dangers of cooking with natural gas, particularly its harmful effects on children’s health, including an increased risk of asthma. Research reveals that gas stoves release toxic pollutants into homes, leading to significant health risks. The article advocates for transitioning to electric appliances and for policy changes to reduce reliance on gas, emphasizing that the air quality in our homes deserves the same attention as the safety of toys and furniture.