HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Gas stoves can be found in a third of U.S. households. With debate about the long-term health effects of gas stoves heating up, a Kentucky professor and health expert shares their knowledge.
Chris Curran, director of the NKU Neuroscience program and biological sciences professor, really enjoys researching toxicology.
“People think of it as the science of poisons, but that’s not what we’re here to do. We are here to make a safer, healthier world, and that’s why we love our work,” she said.
Curran, like many others, considers how things we use daily can affect our health and global health. Recently, a Consumer Product Safety Commissioner came forward about gas stoves being a hidden hazard in homes, often leading to higher rates of asthma in kids.
Curran said that while she’s more worried about coal or wood in burning fireplaces, she still thinks there could be some danger to gas stoves and how it may affect those a little more at risk.
“We say the dose makes the poison. For a small child, you may be more concerned if you have a family history of asthma and allergy,” she said.
Curran said other allergens inside the home as well can lead to a higher risk for asthma altogether. While there are no bans on gas stoves in place, Curran said those a little more at risk can make some changes inside their home can reduce negative effects on health.
“Think about how long it’s on, think about who’s in the room. You probably have an exhaust fan you can turn on. When it’s warmer weather, you can open a window,” Curran said.
She said making a switch to an electric stove someday is something to keep in mind. Part of what Curran does is think about future generations and how fossil fuels like gas stoves emitting methane affect global health and future generations of people.
“Any time you use fossil fuels, you’re contributing to the mess that California’s seeing, that Florida saw with the hurricane, all the areas that have experienced extreme draught,” she said.
While the CPSC currently is not looking to ban gas stoves, it could seek to restrict emissions on them.
