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 | Jan 28, 2021

Natl. Fire Protection Assn. releases new energy storage system fact sheet

Comes as Biden Administration prepares ambitious clean energy agenda.

Codes and Standards | Jan 27, 2021

AECOM sues insurance carrier for payment of COVID-19 property damage claims

Claims ‘all-risk policies’ should have included millions of dollars of losses due to virus.

Codes and Standards | Jan 26, 2021

Updated guide to repair and rehabilitate existing concrete structures published

Document assesses how to adhere to code requirements.

Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2021

New guide for skylight selection, daylighting design released

Free Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance document now available.

Codes and Standards | Jan 20, 2021

Steel industry, labor urge Biden to retain steel tariffs

‘Essential to ensuring the viability of the domestic steel industry.’

Codes and Standards | Jan 19, 2021

2021 Solar Investment Tax Credit will remain at 26%

Incentive was scheduled to be reduced to 22%.

Codes and Standards | Jan 19, 2021

Thomas Jefferson University launches the Institute for Smart and Healthy Cities

Will address climate change, social equity, rapid urbanization, and health.

Codes and Standards | Jan 14, 2021

Petition urges FEMA to update flood maps, set tougher standards for floodplain construction

Environmental and planning groups note soaring claims, flood insurance debt.

Codes and Standards | Jan 13, 2021

Proposed change to IECC process irks efficiency advocates

New procedure would diminish influence of local code officials.

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