The Fire Inside- Gas Stoves, NO2 & Health with Dr. Laura Paulin

Those of you who listen to this podcast know that my main slogan is “Don’t light things on fire and breathe them into your lungs.” But what about when we cook with fire with gas stoves? Today I am joined by Dr. Laura Paulin MD, MHS of Dartmouth College who researches this very topic. She has studied the impact of indoor air quality in homes and studying home interventions aimed at decreasing indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations. She has studied indoor particulate matter and NO2 exposures and asthma outcomes as well as their impact on others with lung disease and pregnant women.  She has published multiple articles in leading respiratory and environmental journals, and currently serves on the Environmental Health Policy Committee of the American Thoracic Society. Today we talk about gas stoves, their health impacts, and what to do if you are one of the 35% of American homes using gas stoves.

To Do- especially if a member of the Twitchy Airways Club

1- If you are looking for a new home or thinking of a change of kitchen, electric is likely a better choice than gas for the health of your family and community.

2- If you already have a gas stove, think through your options. If you have the means to replace it, consider doing so. Obviously, multiple variables go into that decision. If you can’t, make sure to ventilate as best you can. If you have a hood, run it on its highest setting, ensure it ventilates to the outdoors, and try to use the back burners. Consider using an air filter with a carbon component to absorb NO2.

3- Contact your county, state and national representatives and advocate for policies to reduce the use of gas in indoor settings or help people transition away from gas while keeping energy and cooking costs clean and affordable. This is likely a complex issue that will require multiple stakeholders, but it is important to be a voice for health.

4- Consider a donation to the American Thoracic Society, who works hard to support research into clean air and to inform policy around the importance of clean air.

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