This latest research has given a really big motivation to all the ladies out there to not cook their daily meals on gas stoves.
Yes! We are talking about a recent research which was done by Stanford University having a concerning revelation.
Elevated Risk Of Leukemia
As per this research, they have found the presence of the carcinogenic compound benzene in households utilizing gas stoves.
The discovery holds a great significance as Benzene, linked to an elevated risk of leukemia and other blood cell cancers.
It has been found to infiltrate millions of homes during the use of gas cooking appliances.
Besides this the study also indicates that even the operation of a single gas cooktop burner on high or setting a gas oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit can potentially lead to indoor benzene levels.
The effect will be exceeding for those observed in secondhand tobacco smoke.
Persistent Nature Of Benzene
Besides this, the research also highlights the persistent nature of benzene within a home environment, with the compound lingering in the air for hours after the cessation of gas stove usage, as published on June 15 in Environmental Science & Technology.
Basically, these latest findings shed light on potential health hazards associated with gas stove emissions.
Hence, it is emphasizing the imperative for increased awareness and the implementation of measures to mitigate exposure.
“Benzene forms in flames and other high-temperature environments, such as flares in oil fields and refineries,” said the study senior author Rob Jackson, the Michelle and Kevin Douglas Provostial Professor and professor of Earth System Science at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
Adding, “We now know that benzene also forms in the flames of gas stoves in our homes. Good ventilation helps reduce pollutant concentrations, but exhaust fans were often ineffective at eliminating benzene exposure.”
This recent study has drawn attention to the elevated indoor concentrations of the carcinogenic compound benzene, which have been attributed to the use of gas stoves.
These levels of benzene have been found to surpass those observed in secondhand smoke.
How To Avoid This?
The study has further uncovered the potential spread of benzene to various rooms within homes, especially noting the concentrations in bedrooms that exceeded established health benchmarks.
In this case, the residential range hoods were found to be ineffective in mitigating benzene levels, even when vented outdoors.
In order to avoid these issues, the study has recommended the adoption of portable induction cooktops or electric kitchenware as this would minimize the exposure of pollutants emanating from gas stoves.
The research has also given the suggestion of Financial incentives, which include state and local rebates and federal tax credits, as this would help in offsetting the costs associated with replacing gas appliances.
This groundbreaking research represents the first comprehensive analysis of benzene emissions during stove and oven usage.
The study reveals that gas burners emit significantly higher levels of benzene compared to electric stoves, while induction cooktops emit none.
Moreover, these findings underscore the environmental and health risks associated with gas stoves hence emphasizing on utilization of alternative cooking methods.
