The burners on gas stoves release pollutants including nitrogen dioxide, a key element in smog that can irritate airways and may contribute to the development of asthma, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.A consumer watchdog group is suing a manufacturer of gas stoves for allegedly failing to warn people that its appliances can produce harmful air pollution.in the District of Columbia Superior Court.
“There's a growing body of evidence that cooking with gas poses real health risks for everyone, and particularly for children. And nobody's doing anything about it, unfortunately, in terms of policy,” says Abe Scarr, program director for energy and utilities at the United States Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.
A spokesperson for GE Appliances did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Thursday. The study that the AGA cited did find that cooking with gas, rather than electricity, results in"a small or modest increase in risk" for pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.