Gas stoves linked to thousands of deaths « Euro Weekly News

Gas stoves in Europe linked to tens of thousands of deaths each year

Gas stoves in Europe linked to tens of thousands of deaths each year - Euro Weekly News

Credit: Pixabay, bou_dee

A new study reveals alarming health risks from gas stove usage in European households, connecting gas stove emissions with approximately 40,000 premature deaths each year in the European Union and United Kingdom.

Jaume I University in Spain conducted the study, which included the first European-wide analysis on the health impact of cooking with gas indoors. The findings highlight a significant public health risk, particularly for traditional areas where gas stoves are the norm.

Gas stove pollution and respiratory health risks

The study was funded by the European Climate Foundation and it found that indoor gas stove use created high nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels. These can exacerbate respiratory illnesses and contribute to premature mortality. Additionally, it’s estimated that gas stoves contribute to hundreds of thousands of childhood asthma cases annually in the EU and UK, mirroring findings in the US, where around 12 per cent of paediatric asthma cases are linked to gas cooking.

Lead researcher Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit told Bloomberg Green that gas stove pollution is “toxic from a public health perspective” and that the death toll “is far worse than we thought.”

The study suggests that the actual health toll may be underestimated, as gas stoves emit pollutants beyond NO₂, including particulate matter and carbon monoxide, which were not included in the study.

Gas stoves in European homes

Around a third of European households rely on gas stoves for cooking, which emit pollutants that can surpass legal indoor air quality limits. Separate research has shown that household emissions account for about 25 per cent of greenhouse gas output in the EU. Countries like the UK, Romania, Poland, and Italy, where gas cooking is most common, are especially vulnerable to health impacts from gas stove pollution.

The European Commission is now reviewing standards for gas stoves, which may lead to stricter regulations on NO₂ emissions and pollution labelling. Some European countries such as France and Denmark are already taking steps to phase out gas in favour of meeting climate targets, addressing both environmental and health concerns.

In the meantime, it’s advised that consumers ventilate their kitchens during gas stove use and, if possible, consider switching to electric hobs.

However, electricity costs considerably more than gas and during the winter, gas “bombonas” are a popular choice for keeping homes warm at a reasonable price.

Letara Draghia Photo
Written by

Letara Draghia

Part-time writer, wife, and mother from the UK. Living an enjoyable life in southern Spain.

Comments


    • CCW60

      29 October 2024 • 15:40

      It would be very interesting to know who paid for these so called ‘studies’ after decades where none were seen necessary…until the climate fanatics decided any use of gas in our society today is evil. It’s evil to heat your homes, evil to cook with and very evil to put in your vehicles so you can drive. So they come up with these biased studies where those conducting them are paid to make the outcome what they wish. MANY of us grew up with gas stoves in the household because it was the cheapest way to cook. Funny isn’t it that MOST of us didn’t experience any ill effects from them at all. This is just a means to an end…the end of gas cooking!

      Reply

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