Use a Gas Stove? New Research Shows How It Might Be Polluting the Air in Your Home

If you like to spend time cooking in your kitchen, you’re probably familiar with the popularity of gas stoves. Impressive temperature control with an open flame that hits all points of even your most warped pots and pans makes the appliance a hot commodity for home cooks and professional chefs alike. But it might surprise you that this type of cooktop may pose health risks to you and your household, according to new research.

Previously, researchers found that in the U.S. methane from gas stoves alone have a yearly environmental impact similar to that of about 500,000 gas-powered cars. On top of that, 76% of this methane was shown to be released into the home while the stove was turned off. Now, a study published February 27, 2024 in PNAS Nexus adds to the existing research with some important details about the substances you may be breathing in from your stove at home.

What This Research on Gas Stoves Found

Researchers at Purdue University and Indiana University Bloomington observed the concentration of nanoparticles, which are molecules small enough to be absorbed by the bloodstream, emitted by a gas stove in a small testing house. They performed cooking tasks like boiling water for 20 minutes or making a grilled cheese sandwich, while measuring the nanoparticles in the air. Results showed the concentration of these particles were one to two times greater than that of outdoor air affected by car traffic.

Many of the particles scattered and settled on home surfaces, but a significant portion was still left in the air. These findings revealed that cooking with gas may place a heavy burden on the respiratory system, and not only from the gas itself. In another analysis, respiratory health expert Dr. Dean Schraufnagel said that nanoparticles (AKA ultrafine particles) are particularly pesky, because “they carry other toxins from cell to cell very easily—making it hard to determine if it’s the [gas stove nanoparticle] causing problems directly or if it’s the things it attaches to that cause the toxicity.”

These findings may sound concerning, but research is still needed on a broader scale with a more diverse set of trials to determine the full effect of gas stoves on your health. It’s also worth mentioning that exhaust fans were not used in this study. Associate professor at Purdue University Dr. Brandon Boor claimed, “Most people don’t turn on their exhaust fan while cooking.” This is based on a 2020 study of California residents’ kitchen habits, but observations on a larger population are needed to determine the accuracy of those findings. Dr. Boor urges that “moving forward, we need to think about how to reduce our exposure to all types of indoor air pollutants…We'd advise that [gas stove emissions] be considered as a distinct air pollutant category.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has shown that it agrees with this opinion, though it has no plans of outright banning the use of gas stoves. In a statement made in January 2023, CPSC Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric stated, “Research indicates that emissions from gas stoves can be hazardous, and the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce related indoor air quality hazards. But to be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so.”

The Bottom Line

Gas stoves can be a great functional component of a kitchen, but some research argues against the safety of the appliance’s use in the home. A new study shows that gas stoves may release a higher concentration of harmful nanoparticles than that found in the air of high-traffic outdoor areas. These particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream and may potentially be harmful to the body.

At this time, more research is needed to determine if targeted air filtration devices like overhead stove fans can help alleviate the home of excess pollutants. Also, testing in real home environments on a larger scale is needed to help further clarify these conclusions. Nevertheless, researchers and the CPSC plan to help bring awareness to the pollutants associated with gas stoves when more information is available.