According to recent reports, the health of people in the United States is being affected because they are being exposed to nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves. Nitrogen dioxide has been linked to various health diseases such as cancer, diabetes, etc. However, if a 12-year-old is exposed to the same gas, there’s a 42% possibility that they would develop asthma.
Furthermore, statistics from the US Energy Information Administration say that close to 50 million households in the US use gas. Those who are most affected are those who live in smaller houses. Generally, the amount of Nitrogen dioxide released from gas stoves depends on the size, ventilation, and behaviors of your home.
People in This Type of Home Are Easily Affected by Nitrogen Dioxide
According to research, the smaller your home, the more likely you are to be easily exposed to Nitrogen dioxide. This can increase the risk of negative health effects. Also, whenever a high concentration of Nitrogen dioxide is breathed in, it can irritate the respiratory system.
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Furthermore, individuals living in homes that are often less than 800 square feet are four times more exposed to nitrogen dioxide pollution than those living in homes that are more than 3,000 square feet.
At a news briefing, the lead author of the new study said, “Because of historical and present-day discrimination, this disparity and exposure by housing size manifests as disparities and exposure by income and race and ethnic group.”
The World Health Organisation has set new rules for exposure to different air pollutants. These rules help monitor the amount of gas one is exposed to. According to the new research, individuals who use gas stoves reach the 75% yearly limit set by the World Health Organisation.
Additionally, the research says the exposure of Hispanic, Black, and American Indian individuals who live in the US to nitrogen dioxide is more than the benchmark WHO set for those using gas stoves. For Black and Hispanic individuals, their exposure to nitrogen dioxide is 20% above average, and for American Indian individuals, it is 60% above average.
The Cooks Are at More Risk
Research was carried out to find out which rooms are affected by Nitrogen dioxide. The study showed that the tested bedrooms exceeded the WHO’s 1-hour exposure to nitrogen dioxide guidelines by 25 minutes of cooking. Also, about 50,000 cases of pediatric asthma were recorded, and it was caused by long-term exposure to pollution.
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Researchers concluded after measuring nitrogen dioxide in over 100 homes in five states. “The pollution we measure travels from the kitchen to distant bedrooms, and it travels far and fast,” Rob Jackson, a professor at Stanford, said. “It moves through the home very quickly. It doesn’t only reach our bedrooms quickly; it lingers in the air for hours.”
Women Are More at Risk
Rob Jackson added that cooks, mostly women, are most at risk. But in conclusion, everyone in the home who breathes in nitrogen dioxide is in danger. According to experts, the best way to reduce the effect of nitrogen dioxide on respiratory health is to minimize the use of gas stoves for cooking.
However, if that isn’t possible, lowering the heat of the gas stove can help reduce the emission of nitrogen dioxide, as the flames usually cause pollution. “The key thing is to use less gas,” Jackson said.
“There’s a direct linear relationship between the amount of gas burned and the amount of pollution that comes off.” He added, “So everything we do to reduce gas – use one burner at a time – helps people help their health.”
For individuals who can’t replace their gas stoves, an induction cooktop can help reduce exposure to nitrogen dioxide. Also, it’s important to keep the kitchen and other rooms adequately ventilated to allow new air to circulate in the house. This helps with the kind of air taken in. Carbon dioxide is needed as nitrogen dioxide goes out.
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