flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

The argument against gas stoves includes degraded indoor air quality

Codes and Standards

The argument against gas stoves includes degraded indoor air quality

Asthma seems to be aggravated by cooking with flame.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | November 3, 2020
gas stove with flame

Courtesy Pixabay

The environmental argument for banning gas appliances from new construction projects often centers on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but another justification is to improve indoor air quality.

Indeed, cooking on a gas stove releases nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide—some of the same fumes found in car exhaust. Brief exposures to air with high concentrations of NO2 can lead to coughing and wheezing for people with asthma or other respiratory afflictions, and prolonged exposure can contribute to the development of those conditions, according to the EPA.

Homes with gas stoves can contain 50% to 400% higher concentrations of NO2 than homes with electric stoves. These levels of indoor air pollution would be illegal outdoors.

Standard electric stoves do not release such indoor pollutants, but they do consume more total energy than gas stoves. Electric induction ranges use less energy, but only work with certain cookware, and are more expensive. Induction cooking also takes some getting used to, with cooks facing a learning curve to prepare certain foods.

About 30 California communities are moving toward all-electric building codes. Cities in other states are also moving to do the same or are considering bans.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Jun 22, 2021

Actually, few companies plan to significantly reduce their office footprint

CBRE survey shows that many firms will continue with hybrid work.

Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2021

Vancouver, B.C., may delay new zero emissions building standards

Building permit delays may postpone new standards by a year.

Codes and Standards | Jun 17, 2021

Buffalo’s parking reform having noticeable impact on development

Elimination of mandatory parking allotments encourages new projects.

Codes and Standards | Jun 16, 2021

Inconsistent building codes make some states more vulnerable to hurricanes

Florida takes top spot for strongest building code in latest IBHS survey.

Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2021

Growing housing supply gap will worsen affordability crisis

Supply projected to fall 4.5 million units short in 2022.

Codes and Standards | Jun 10, 2021

New York City cracks down on construction site safety

Buildings Dept. issues new safety legislation for City Council consideration.

Codes and Standards | Jun 9, 2021

ASHRAE updates health care facility ventilation standard

Includes improved guidance on thermal comfort, revisions to air filtration requirements.

Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2021

American Wood Council releases new fire design specification

For design of wood members, assemblies, and connections to meet code requirements.

Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2021

Guide provides strategies to overcome barriers to sustainable affordable housing

International Living Future Institute document helps with social, regulatory, and financial hurdles.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021