A saucepan of boiling water sits on an induction hob in a kitchen in Berlin, Germany on August 27, 2021. Credit – Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez/picture allianceGetty Images
Gas stoves are associated a certain charm: a picture of high-profile chefs cooking in highly-regarded, high-end kitchens with an open flame. Many at-home chefs have opted to forgo electric stoves and their outdated coils. This wisdom is being rewritten as the world gains a better understanding of the harmful effects. HealthAnd ClimateImpacts tied to our love for gas stoves
It is amazing StudyStanford University published a January study that found natural gas stoves work well. More than one thirdIndoor air pollution is a problem in many American homes. Even when not in use, natural gas stoves have been shown to emit methane, a potent greenhouse and other greenhouse gases. harmful pollutantsFormaldehyde, carbon Monoxide, and others. nitrogen dioxideThrough leaks and in service lines.
These findings raise the question of whether electric induction stoves are safer and more efficient for households around the globe.
American kitchens have methane leaks
In the past, residential buildings and homes have been a blind spot in terms of methane emissions. There have been very few studies that attempted to quantify the amount of methane released from living in homes and working in buildings. StudyThis suggests that we might be undercounting the impact of cities. TheMoreover, Fossil fuel industryHe has worked hard to make gas stoves one of America’s most beloved appliances.
Stanford earth system sciences professor Rob JacksonHis team at the Stanford Woods Institute for the EnvironmentTheir January gas stove study is the first to analyze this issue. Published their work in the peer reviewed journal Environmental Science & TechnologyThe team measured methane, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants released by 53 California homes during different phases of the cooking process. Total, 18 brands of gas stoves and cooktops aged between 3 and 30 years were tested.
According to them, the methane released from natural gas stoves in the United States is equal to the emissions from half-a-million gasoline-powered vehicles every year. On average, a gas stove emits 649 grams of methane per year. This is equivalent to 40 mile driving. These pollutants can cause serious health problems, as well as contributing to climate change. Health effectsChildren are especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases such as asthma and cognitive impairments. Tiny particulate particles released by the gas can also penetrate deep into the lungs. They can cause irritation not only in the lungs, but also in the eyes and throat.
Not only is methane released when a stovetop’s in use, but also when it’s turned off. More than three quarters (75%) of all methane emitted by stovetops were released when they were off, according to the study. This phenomenon is likely to be explained by leaky pipes or ill-fitted connections between natural gasoline hookups with the appliances they power. Simply having a stove in your home can expose you to air pollutants.Seth SockoloffPSE Healthy Energy executive director, which collaborated with Stanford University for the study.
Stanford study co-author says that the size of your kitchen and the type or ventilation available can also affect the impact of gas stoves. Eric Lebel. In one room measured, the oven was used with no ventilation. Safety standardsEstablished by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
According to a ReportAccording to the National Center for Healthy Housing and Enterprise Community Partners (NCHHP and ECP), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in cakes baked in a gas oven were 230 parts per million (ppb). This is comparable to the amount found in smog (around 200ppb). According to The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is a research consortium.
Although the Stanford study was limited to a few homes, the team believes that their state-level findings can also be applied to the rest, with little regional variation. This suggests that natural gas appliances have a significant impact on the environment. And that’s after two decades of residential methane emissions DataRMI, a climate nonprofit, supports the research. RMI renewable energy expert says it is shocking that gas stoves in the United States do not have to be vented outside.Brady SealsTIME. The majority of the pollution that is released into the kitchen remains there.
Jackson believes that gas stoves can be more harmful to the human and environmental health than electric ones. Jackson says stoves are the only appliances that are allowed to release pollution directly into our homes. Every furnace and water heater must vent to the outside. We wouldn’t stand over a car’s tailpipe to breathe, but we are happy to stand above our stoves to inhale their pollution.
Are induction stoves more beneficial for climate and health?
Induction stoves have been in use in Europe for decades. Over 35%Global market. Induction stoves are only now becoming mainstream in the U.S. energy expertsAnd Appliance producers They are now being promoted as an environmentally friendly alternative for natural gas stoves.
Induction stoves can be plugged into an electrical outlet, just like electric stoves. However, they have a different method of creating heat. Induction stoves are based on induction technology, as their name suggests. A copper coil wire is used to conduct an electric current underneath the cooking surface. This creates a magnetic field that runs to the pan to produce heat. Magnetic induction transfers energy from the stovetop to any cookware with a magnetic base. A number of pots, pans, and other items in your kitchen are likely to be compatible with an induction stove. Frigidaire is the appliance manufacturer that can help you determine whether yours are compatible. RecommendationsA simple magnet test.
Stove tops stay cool because heat is transferred directly from the stove to a pot or pan. Induction stoves are able to heat more precisely, which means that they can cook more powerfully. Boil water upto 50 percent fasterNotes: They are comparable to their electric and gas counterparts but maintain constant and precise temperatures. Frigidaire.
Induction stoves are also far more efficient than conventional gas and electric stoves. Energy Star is a government-backed energy efficiency monitor. NotesInduction cookware transfers heat with a high efficiency of around 85%. This is much higher than gas (32%), and electric stoves (75-78%). TIME was told by a spokesperson for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that induction cooking tops are 5 to 10% more efficient per unit than conventional electric resistance units, and about three times as efficient as gas. If all U.S. cooking tops sold in 2021 used induction technology that met government-recommended usage guidelines, Energy Star estimates that cost savings would have been over $125 million.
This increased efficiency comes with a higher price. Induction stoves cost around $1,000, while conventional gas or electric stoves can run you a few hundred dollars. Is this stove better for your health, despite being more expensive?
Induction stoves emit electromagnetic radiation, just like other household appliances such as microwaves and toasters. The amounts are not enough to be considered safe by the governing body. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. While SomeIt is best to start early studiesThese electromagnetic fields could be dangerous to children, as has been raised by some. FetusesThe World Health Organization 2007 FoundThere is no evidence that medium-frequency magnet fields have long-term negative effects on human health. Gas stoves, however, have been shown to be effective. linkedTo Rates up to 42%Children with asthma.
Kenneth McCloudProfessor at Binghamton University in New York, who studies the effects of electromagnetic fields on people, said that it is difficult to control the potential dangers of induction cooktops and that there is not enough evidence to prove that they are harmful. Are these effects dangerous? He said. I don’t know of any adverse effects that you could be exposed to in your home.
As with all appliances, induction stoves should be read and understood in full. This includes using appropriate-sized and constructed cookware, as well as maintaining a safe distance using the rear cooking areas.
The future energy transition
Long-term climate impacts and the negative effects on air quality from worsening air quality to worsening heat stress and natural disasters are all long-term consequences of burning fossil fuels. According to Seals at RMI the health effects of our gas stove may be felt sooner than the climate impacts. However, on a macro level, we are dependent on these climate-disrupting fossil fuels and the infrastructure that supports them.
Scientists say that we must move away from fossil fuels in order to limit climate change. Some states such as MassachusettsAnd Cities in CaliforniaThey are pushing legislation Ban natural gas hookupsEncourage all-electric new construction by offering incentives and funding for new buildings Rebates. New York City was named the most populous city in December 2021. The largest in the countryTo enact such regulation.
Lebel says that we don’t want to store gas appliances as infrastructure for the next 20-30 years. That is how long a gas stove can last. A gas stove that is purchased today will be in the kitchen for many decades.
The Stanford researchers point out that not everyone can afford to upgrade right away and that there are environmental consequences associated with producing new stoves and disposing of old ones before they expire. Similar to electric vehicles, it is necessary to have a better understanding of how to source more resources like minerals for stoves. The researchers recommend that small steps be taken to move towards electrifying residential kitchens, such as when you search for a new apartment or take advantage of rebates.
These strategies include investing in induction pans that can be used with other types of stoves as well as updating electrical outlets and appliances such as induction stoves when time and money allow. When operating a natural gas stove, make sure to turn on the fan or hood vent and open any windows.
