A bill in the California legislature proposes mandatory warning labels on gas stoves due to their harmful emissions, coinciding with new research on their health impacts.
Victoria St. Martin reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- California's proposed bill mandates labels on gas stoves warning about harmful emissions and suggesting ventilation.
- Stanford researchers found that gas stoves significantly contribute to nitrogen dioxide pollution, linked to 19,000 deaths annually.
- The research highlights higher exposure levels among minority communities, exacerbating respiratory and other health issues.
Key quote:
“This study’s main contribution is quantifying how much of that pollution really makes it to your nose.”
— Yannai Kashtan, lead author of the study, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Why this matters:
Gas stoves emit pollutants that can worsen respiratory and neurological health over time. This issue is particularly pressing for minority and low-income households, which face higher exposure and have fewer options to mitigate these risks.
Related: Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual US health damages
