The enviromental and health impacts of gas stoves
Gas stoves, common in American households, have an outsized influence on health and the environment.
How do gas stoves impact health and climate?
- Gas and propane stoves emit toxic gases, such as nitrogen dioxide and benzene, at levels that can rival those in secondhand tobacco smoke.
- Methane leaking from natural gas–burning stoves inside U.S. homes has a climate impact comparable to the carbon dioxide emissions from about 500,000 gasoline-powered cars.
Over one-third of U.S. households cook with gas. Research has revealed significant impacts on the environment and human health. This page brings together the latest research from Stanford scholars to explain how gas stoves contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air quality impacts.
Gas stoves emit unsafe levels of nitrogen dioxide
Everyday use of gas and propane stoves can raise indoor nitrogen dioxide to unhealthy levels across the home, often persisting for hours after cooking. This exposure may contribute to thousands of premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of childhood asthma cases each year, with the greatest impacts in smaller homes and disadvantaged communities.
Switching to electric stoves can dramatically cut indoor air pollution
Gas and propane stoves expose millions of Americans to dangerous levels of various gases, often rivaling pollution from outdoor sources like traffic. Switching to electric stoves can reduce that exposure by more than 25% nationwide and up to 50% for heavy users.
Study finds combustion from gas stoves can raise indoor levels of chemical linked to a higher risk of blood cell cancers
Gas stoves emit benzene, a carcinogen, at levels that can exceed those in secondhand smoke, spread throughout homes, and persist despite ventilation. They release far more benzene than electric or induction stoves.
Climate and health impacts of natural gas stoves
Gas stoves leak methane—mostly when the stoves are off—and emit nitrogen oxides that can exceed health guidelines within minutes in poorly ventilated kitchens. These often-overlooked emissions degrade indoor air quality and contribute to climate warming.
Latest videos
Cooking with gas stoves increases the benzene concentrations, a harmful carcinogen, within the household.
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Jackson’s research focuses on understanding how energy systems, land use, and ecosystems affect climate change, air and water quality, and public health, with an emphasis on reducing environmental impacts.
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