Gas stoves, a fixture in many European kitchens, are under scrutiny as new research highlights their potential to reduce users’ life expectancy by nearly two years. A recent study revealed that gas stoves contribute to about 40,000 premature deaths annually in Europe due to the pollutants they emit, which can lead to serious respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
The study, supported by the European Climate Foundation and first reported by The Guardian, links the use of gas stoves to 36,031 premature deaths each year within the European Union and another 3,928 in the United Kingdom. The research team, led by environmental health expert Juana María Delgado-Saborit from Spain’s University Jaume I, emphasized that these findings likely underestimate the true impact, as they only account for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions, not other harmful substances like carbon monoxide and benzene.
Gas Stoves: A Common Household Hazard
In the EU, about one in three households relies on gas stoves, with this figure rising significantly in countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and Hungary, where over 60% of households use gas for cooking. Delgado-Saborit and her colleagues mapped out indoor NO₂ exposure by comparing air quality inside homes during gas cooking to the outdoor air quality. By correlating these findings with health data on respiratory risks associated with NO₂ pollution, they estimated the loss of life expectancy for average gas stove users.
According to Delgado-Saborit, the results are “far more alarming than previously understood,” highlighting an underappreciated public health crisis. This new research indicates that gas stoves could be twice as deadly as car accidents in Europe, primarily because people are largely unaware of the risks associated with everyday exposure to indoor air pollutants.
The Broader Health Risks of Gas Stove Emissions
Most concerns center around NO₂, a toxic gas released during combustion that has been linked to respiratory diseases and cardiovascular issues. NO₂ levels indoors from gas stove use can exceed outdoor pollution levels, particularly in homes with inadequate ventilation. While the European Union has tightened standards on outdoor air quality, it has yet to implement specific guidelines for indoor air pollutants, leaving a regulatory gap in managing exposure risks at home.
Dr. Steffen Loft, an air pollution expert from the University of Copenhagen, expressed the need for further research to confirm if NO₂ health risks from vehicle emissions apply equally to NO₂ generated indoors by gas cooking. Nonetheless, Loft agrees with Delgado-Saborit’s team, noting that while more studies are needed, the current evidence suggests a tangible health risk that warrants caution.
Policy and Consumer Response: A Call for Change
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) has called on policymakers to address the risks associated with gas stoves. Sara Bertucci, a representative of the EPHA, compared the situation to tobacco products, noting, “For too long, the risks of gas stoves have been ignored. Like cigarettes, gas stoves release pollutants that gradually fill our homes with harmful emissions.” The EPHA advocates for an eventual phase-out of gas stoves, tighter emission standards, and improved labeling to warn consumers of health risks.
For consumers who may not be able to switch to an electric or induction stove immediately, the EPHA and environmental researchers recommend practical measures to reduce exposure to gas emissions. Opening windows during cooking and using range hoods or ventilation fans can help disperse pollutants, minimizing the impact on indoor air quality.
Growing Awareness of Indoor Air Pollution
The gas stove issue underscores a broader public health challenge of managing indoor air pollution. Although most governments have focused on outdoor air standards, Delgado-Saborit and other experts argue that indoor air quality requires more attention, given the significant time people spend indoors.
This research adds urgency to a growing body of evidence suggesting that indoor pollution—often from familiar sources such as gas stoves, heating systems, and certain household products—presents a serious health hazard. As European policymakers increasingly focus on green energy and public health initiatives, the debate over gas stove regulation and potential phase-out programs will likely intensify.
Conclusion
Gas stoves, a mainstay in many European kitchens, have been shown to carry substantial health risks that could be shortening users’ lives by nearly two years on average. The research, supported by the European Climate Foundation, calls for improved regulatory measures, better consumer awareness, and potentially phasing out gas stoves for cleaner alternatives.
In the meantime, European residents are encouraged to improve ventilation during cooking and explore alternatives that may offer cleaner, safer ways to prepare food. For now, this report serves as a stark reminder that even everyday appliances can have hidden impacts on long-term health.
This article is originally published on slate.fr
This article was originally published on slate.fr
