To the Editor:
An article entitled “Natural Gas Cooking and Indoor Air Quality” in the December 2022 edition discussed necessary measures (such venting emissions to the outside using exhaust fans) that need to be taken in order to keep indoor air quality healthy when cooking with methane gas.
The marketing of methane gas as “natural” is misleading and implies that methane gas is wholesome and healthy. Many recent reports including a June 2, 2022 NPR “All Things Considered” episode indicate that there is nothing wholesome or healthy about methane gas. Burning methane gas emits nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, and children living in households with gas stoves are 42 times more likely to develop asthma.
These harms can be completely circumvented by replacing a methane gas-burning stove with a clean, safe and energy efficient electric induction stove. My household recently made the transition from methane gas to an induction stove and we would never go back.
There is also worsening climate change to consider. Methane gas is a potent greenhouse gas having approximately 80 times the heating capacity of carbon dioxide. Moreover, most methane gas is produced by fracking which sickens local residents, and pollutes land, air and water.
As renewables power more of the electric grid, our electric appliances will become even greener. With the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, and the rebates and tax credits it provides, there has never been a better time to make the switch to electric appliances, including induction stoves.
Emily Platt, Ph.D.
Editor’s note: Letters to the Editor should be less than 300 words and The Southeast Examiner reserves the right to edit them for length or content.
Hello,
I would like to correct an error I made in my LTE (Emily Platt Jan 27th 2023). Instead of children having a 42 times increase in asthma cases, I should have written 42 percent increased chance of childhood asthma in children who live in households with gas stoves. I regret the error. Another way of describing the increased asthma risk is that 12.7% of childhood asthma cases can be attributed to gas stove use. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-health-risks-of-gas-stoves-explained/