A US federal agency is considering a ban on gas stoves

New York
CNN
—

Federal agency considering ban on gas stoves, source of indoor pollution has been linked to childhood asthma.

In an interview with Bloomberg, the US Commissioner of Consumer Product Safety, stated that the use of gas stoves is “hidden danger.”

“Any option is on table. Products that cannot be made the safe may be banned,” agency spokesman Richard Trumka Jr. told Bloomberg. The report states that the agency plans “take action” to combat indoor air pollution caused by ovens.

CPSC is considering taking action on gas stoves for months. Tube recommended in October what CPSC look for public comment on dangers associated with gas stoves. Pollutants have been linked to asthma and worsening respiratory conditions.

Research, December 2022 in International magazine of Environmental research and public health found that the use of the internal gas stove is connected with increased risk of current asthma among children. Studies found which is almost 13% of current childhood asthma in USA refers to the gas stove use.

Trumka told Bloomberg. plans open public comment on gas stove danger. Options other than a ban include “setting standards on emissions from appliances.

Thirty five percent of households in United States use gas stove, and the figure is approaching 70% in some states like California and New Jersey. Other studies found these ovens emit significant levels of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter, which without proper ventilation can increase levels of indoor concentration levels to unsafe levels, according to the EPA.

“Short-term NO2 exposure is associated with exacerbation of asthma in children and long-term impact was determined to be probable cause in development of asthma, and group of legislators said in letter to Chairman Alexander Khen-Sharik, adding that he could also exacerbate cardiovascular disease.

The letter, signed by Senators Cory Booker and Senators Elizabeth Warren, argued that blacks, Hispanics, and low-income families more may be affected by these adverse reactions because they are either more probably live next to an incinerator or coal ash or in a home with poor ventilation.

In a statement to CNN, CPSC said the agency did not offer any regulatory action on gas stoves at this time, and any regulatory the action would “suppose a lengthy process”.

Agency staff plans to start gathering data and perspectives from public on potential hazards associated with gas stoves and suggested solutions to eliminate these hazards later in this year”, the commission said. in statement. “Commission staff also continues work with Voluntary Standards Organizations to Study Gas Stoves Emissions and Eliminate Potential Hazards.

Some US cities have banned natural gas connections. in Everybody new building building up reduce greenhouse gas emissions – Berkeley in 2019, San Francisco in 2020 New York in 2021. But how of last February, 20 states with GOP-controlled legislatures have passed so-called “preemption laws” to prevent cities from banning natural gas.

“For me, that’s what’s interesting about this new trend seems to like states are trying to eliminate the possibility before cities try catch on it.” — Sarah Fox, lawyer professor at Northern Illinois University of Law, told CNN last year. “Gas industry… was very aggressive in for it to pass.”

In a statement to the CNN Business Association of Appliance manufacturers have stated that improvement in ventilation is the solution to prevent air contamination during cooking.

“Ban on gas appliances for cooking will remove the available and preferred technology used in more than 40% of home nationwide,” said industry spokesperson Jill Notini. in statement. ” Ban of gas cooking fail to solve a common problem of in room air cooking quality, because all forms of cooking regardless of of heat source, generate air pollutants, especially at high temperatures.

The American Gas Association pushed back against natural gas ban in blog post in December, saying it makes housing more expensive like “electric homes demand expensive modernization”.

However, Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act includes a rebate of up up to $840 for electric stove or other electrical appliances, as well as up up to $500 up to help cover expenses of switching to electricity from gas.

– Ella Nielsen of CNN contributed to this report.