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Health Effects of Gas Cooking Ranges

Susan Buchanan, MD, MPH

University of Illinois at Chicago

School of Public Health

December 2024

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Why do we care?

https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/data-visualizations/default.htm

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Using natural gas in the kitchen releases:

    • Nitrogen dioxide –

    • Particulate matter – PM2.5, small enough

to travel to the smallest airways

    • Formaldehyde – a known carcinogen

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Nitrogen dioxide – evidence of exposure in the kitchen

Logue JM, Klepeis NE, Lobscheid AB, Singer BC. 2014. Pollutant exposures from natural gas cooking burners: a simulation-based assessment for Southern California. Environ Health Perspect 122:43–50;

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Nitrogen dioxide health effects

Depayras, S., Kondakova, T., Heipieper, H. J., Feuilloley, M. G., Orange, N., & Duclairoir-Poc, C. (2018). The Hidden Face of Nitrogen Oxides Species: From Toxic Effects to Potential Cure? InTech.

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Asthma and Natural Gas – December 2022

“12.7% (95% CI = 6.3–19.3%) of current childhood asthma in the US is attributable to gas stove use.”

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Particulate Matter <2.5 microns diameter (PM2.5)

Basith S, Manavalan B, Shin TH, Park CB, Lee W-S, Kim J, Lee G. The Impact of Fine Particulate Matter 2.5 on the Cardiovascular System: A Review of the Invisible Killer. Nanomaterials. 2022; 12(15):2656. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152656

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Children – our canaries in the coal mine

Increased breathing: 400 vs 150 mL/min per kg

Increased food intake: 45 vs 10-15 gm/kg/day

Water: 28 vs 5-10 gm/kg/day

Museum of Cannock Chase 

http://performancejourneys.com/what-are-your-canaries-in-the-coal-mine/

http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/national-coal

-mining-museum.html