Researchers from Purdue and Indiana universities have concluded that using a gas-powered stove in your home is far more dangerous for your health than breathing in the exhaust from an internal combustion engine. The study claims that nanocluster aerosols of soot created by gas stoves can contribute to health problems such as asthma and bronchitis, and could complicate heart and lung problems.
Last year, the Biden administration’s Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) seriously considered a ban on gas stoves, which are used by approximately 47 million Americans.
“This is a hidden hazard,” said CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka, Jr. “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”
Although the ban fever subsided when the suggestion became a political third rail, the new study could reignite calls to ban gas stoves.
“Combustion remains a source of air pollution across the world, both indoors and outdoors. We found that cooking on your gas stove produces large amounts of small nanoparticles that get into your respiratory system and deposit efficiently,” said lead researcher Brandon Boor of Purdue.
You can’t see any danger — but take their word for it, the danger is there.
“These super tiny nanoparticles are so small that you’re not able to see them. They’re not like dust particles that you would see floating in the air,” Boor added. “After observing such high concentrations of nanocluster aerosol during gas cooking, we can’t ignore these nano-sized particles anymore.”
The researchers suggest turning on an exhaust fan while using a gas stove.
“Since most people don’t turn on their exhaust fan while cooking, having kitchen hoods that activate automatically would be a logical solution,” Boor advised. “Moving forward, we need to think about how to reduce our exposure to all types of indoor air pollutants. Based on our new data, we’d advise that nanocluster aerosol be considered as a distinct air pollutant category.”
Purdue created a “tiny house” — the zero Energy Design Guidance for Engineers, or zEDGE — in order to conduct the research. The zEDGE helps students to study energy efficiency as part of their sustainability education.
It’s a tool to address the alleged climate-change problem. “I think zEDGE is one small part of a step forward for energy sustainability in general,” said Nusrat Jung, a civil engineering professor at Purdue.
“In the U.S., we are really beginning to think about energy sustainability and our negative impact on the climate.”
According to the researchers, users of gas stoves might be breathing in 10-100 times more nanocluster aerosol particles by making oatmeal on a gas stove than from car exhaust on a busy street.
“You would not use a diesel engine exhaust pipe as an air supply to your kitchen,” Jung cautioned.
You also wouldn’t use the sun to heat up a casserole.
Like good climate activists, the researchers used big numbers as a means to terrify the public. The researchers claimed that “as many as 10 quadrillion nanocluster aerosol particles could be emitted per kilogram of cooking fuel — matching or exceeding those produced from vehicles with internal combustion engines.”
The researchers admit that those quadrillions of nanocluster aerosols dissipate quickly.
And, of course, it’s far worse for children. “Even though many particles rapidly diffused to other surfaces, the models indicated that approximately 10 billion to 1 trillion particles could deposit into an adult’s head airways and tracheobronchial region of the lungs. These doses would be even higher for children — the smaller the human, the more concentrated the dose,” a Purdue statement read.
This study is simply more climate activism masked as a public service message. Anything powered by fossil fuel is fair game.
