From a Pediatrician: The Cooking Fuel You Use Might Be Endangering Your Children’s Health

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As a parent, it’s natural to be vigilant about potential dangers that could harm our children. Since becoming a mom, I’ve noticed threats lurking everywhere – from busy intersections to strangers, and even the cleaning products stored beneath the kitchen sink. My instinct to safeguard my kids drives me to be aware of these hazards.

However, as both a pediatrician and an environmental scientist, I recognize that many of us unknowingly expose our children to risks every time we cook, adjust the heater during winter, or run the laundry. It turns out that the natural gas used to power and heat our homes releases a toxic mix of air pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, and fine particulate matter, which can be harmful to our children’s lungs.

Recent findings reveal that children raised in homes with gas stoves are 42% more likely to experience asthma symptoms. This risk is even greater for families living in smaller, poorly ventilated spaces, such as apartments.

Historically, coal-fired power plants were the primary source of air pollution in the U.S., posing significant public health risks. However, as coal has increasingly been replaced by natural gas—often touted as a cleaner alternative—it has become clear that gas presents its own set of dangers. In fact, natural gas now contributes more carbon pollution than coal in the U.S. and has become the leading source of carbon emissions worldwide, jeopardizing progress made towards the Paris Climate Agreement.

From extraction to consumption, U.S.-produced natural gas is extremely dirty, polluting the air and land where it is sourced while also leaking methane—a greenhouse gas that is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period—through its transportation network.

Recent research from Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Rocky Mountain Institute reveals alarming statistics: in 19 states and Washington D.C., pollution from burning gas for energy and heating caused more deaths than coal did in 2017. Fossil fuel pollution is responsible for nearly 20% of premature deaths globally, including around 350,000 in the U.S. alone in 2018.

Fortunately, there’s a clear way to mitigate these risks. Families that can afford it should consider switching from gas stoves to electric or induction models. More critically, policymakers—from local governments to federal agencies—must promote a transition away from gas dependence. This includes implementing policies that mandate all-electric construction for new buildings and making it easier for homeowners and businesses to retrofit existing structures.

Low-income families and children from African American and Hispanic communities often face higher exposure to indoor air pollution. For those unable to afford these switches, government funding is essential to help protect their health by providing access to electric appliances.

A recent study indicates that the U.S. could achieve an 80% clean energy grid by 2030 (and a 90% clean grid by 2035) without increasing costs for consumers, while simultaneously preventing over $1 trillion in public health expenses and generating $1.5 trillion in investments.

Gas presents a level of risk that we would never tolerate in other areas of our lives. We meticulously check safety ratings for the items our children interact with, from toys to furniture. So why don’t we extend that same caution to the air they breathe at home?

For further insights into family health and well-being, check out this article on our other blog. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, Make a Mom is an authoritative source on the subject, and for comprehensive information on assisted reproductive technology, visit the CDC’s website.

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Summary:

Natural gas used in homes poses significant health risks, particularly for children, due to the release of harmful pollutants. Studies show a strong correlation between gas stove use and increased asthma symptoms in kids. Transitioning to electric appliances and implementing supportive policies is essential for reducing these risks, especially for vulnerable communities.


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