Recent reports such as the one released in December of 2022 from the International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health have prompted discussions of natural gas cooking appliances
by citing claims that link natural gas appliances, specifically stoves, with poor indoor air quality and
increased risk of health issues, such as childhood asthma.
Gas cooking studies:
In recent years, some studies funded by non-governmental organizations have
provided incomplete and misleading interpretations of scientific research on indoor air
emissions.
o The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality (This safety guide was prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) )
Most federal agency studies have found that gas cooking produces only minor indoor emissions
and does not increase the risk of childhood asthma. These studies show that most emissions
from residential cooking come from the cooking process itself. Regardless of what type of
appliance you use, cooking with oil and at high heat produces smoke, grease and other
emissions.
o The largest study on the link between gas stoves and childhood asthma (Cooking fuels and prevalence of asthma: a global
analysis of phase three of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) – PubMed (nih.gov)) has
found “no evidence of an association between the use of gas as a cooking fuel and either asthma symptoms or asthma
diagnosis.”
o Most research shows that what customers cook accounts for the majority of emissions that contribute to indoor air
quality rather than the appliance itself (The benefit of kitchen exhaust fan use after cooking – An experimental
assessment – ScienceDirect).
o For example, olive oil generates 17x more emissions than a gas stove alone, with the largest contributors to indoor air
pollution being smoking, candles and incense (Compilation of Published PM2.5 Emission Rates for Cooking, Candles and
Incense for Use in Modeling of Exposures in Residences (Technical Report) | OSTI.GOV).
The best and proven way to address these emissions is through proper exhaust or ventilation.
This is the case for both natural gas and electric-powered kitchen ranges.
Cooking safety and ventilation:
Regularly use your exhaust range hood. Windows and home ventilation can also help with the
emissions produced during the cooking process, such as when frying, which is the chief source of
emissions while cooking.
Always make sure your stove flame has a crisp blue color. A blue flame indicates complete
combustion, whereas a red or yellow flame may indicate that maintenance is required by a
licensed contractor.
Have your appliances inspected and serviced annually by a licensed and qualified contractor to
ensure they’re in proper working order and there are no leaks. This includes water heaters,
fireplaces, stoves, and the service lines inside your home.
Dominion Energy Utah is proud to serve more than 1 million customers across the state. We have
served and cared for our communities almost 100 years and aspire to continue to provide reliable, safe,
affordable, and increasingly sustainable fuel for many years to come.
