Is your stove trying to kill you?

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 15. In my 30’s my condition worsened. I kind of thought that was a normal thing and didn’t really think too much about it until my late 40s when my condition had progressed and worsened to a place that threatened my life. I started having asthma attacks so severe that I stopped breathing. My lung passages completely closed. No air in, no air out. It was terrifying! What caused my disease’s progression was a mystery that no one had answers for. My journey to find the cause and then solutions took YEARS and the conclusion was shocking, to say the least.

Here’s the story:

When I was 29 I moved into a townhouse that had super cute antique touches. Deco tiled bathroom, metal vintage windows, and a gas oven and stove from the 1940s. The stove was one of the ones that the pilot light was a flame that constantly stayed lit. I noticed that my kitchen shelves and décor would be covered with a sticky film that required cleaning often. I never even considered the film was related to the gas stove. In fact, I never considered the film at all. I guess I thought it was kitchen grease, cooking residue, etc. I most certainly did not consider that the film could be damaging my lungs and severely exacerbating my asthma. Neither did the myriad of respiratory specialists, allergists, pulmonologists, GP’s, nutritionists, functional medicine doctors, holistic health practitioners, and acupuncturists I saw over the years as my breathing issues got increasingly and steadily worse. No one asked, “Do you have a gas stove?” No one ever mentioned anything close to that. Apparently, no one knew. How is that possible??

The Facts

The studies into the toxicity of gas stoves in a closed environment have been around for years. In recent years the data is everywhere…..if you know where to look.

Gas stoves burn natural gas or propane to produce heat for cooking. During combustion, by-products such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and formaldehyde can be released into the air. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants can be harmful to health, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces. High levels of indoor pollutants can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies, as well as increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Gas stoves can also emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other airborne particles, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems, particularly in sensitive individuals or those with respiratory issues.

One of the main concerns with gas appliances is the release of benzene, which has been linked to childhood asthma as well as a higher risk of some cancers such as leukemia. Benzene?is a flammable liquid at room temperature that evaporates quickly into the air and is one of the most widely used chemicals in the U.S., found in plastics, detergents, pesticides, gasoline, cigarette smoke, and more,?according to?the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A recent study?found that?a single gas burner on high or an oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit raised kitchen benzene concentrations well above the upper range of indoor benzene concentrations attributable to secondhand tobacco smoke.

In addition to poorer indoor air quality and an increased risk of health concerns, (as if we needed more negative info on gas stoves), the?harmful pollution?from burning gas also contributes to the overheating of our planet, which causes more severe weather events that threaten our homes and health even more. Climate Change is the single greatest threat facing humanity today!

?The Turning Point

When my apartment complex started upgrades to the older units, I got a new stove. (Though still gas, it had an electric starter). The gas was no longer constantly leaking into my kitchen and house. I very slowly started to cough less. Fewer asthma attacks. I saw a gradual improvement in lung function. I was less exhausted. I moved to Alabama a little over a year ago. My home has no gas appliances. It has an electric stove. The improvement in my breathing has been profound. Though I still have asthma, the severity has lessened. I've gone months without an asthma attack. I feel healthier than I have in years. Now, as I look back, I'm angry. Why is the toxicity of gas stoves, not common knowledge? Why don't doctors, respiratory specialists especially know about the role gas appliances play in lung health and function? I am worried about the lasting damage I’ve done. I lived with that old stove for over 23 years! I had a lung scan before I moved from LA and they found nodules. They were removed and found to not be cancerous. Thank God! Now I have yearly scans to ensure my lungs stay clear and healthy.

The Conclusion

If you have a gas stove, read up on the health implications and consequences. There is overwhelming evidence, tons of data, studies, and documentation speaking to the dire health consequences of gas stoves in an enclosed environment such as a kitchen. There is a reason California and NY have banned gas stoves in all new builds (Much to cooking enthusiasts' dismay). I know fancy gas stoves carry a cache of cool. Almost everyone touts how much better, easier, and more evenly things cook on gas. But, is the cost worth it? Is it worth dying over? You decide. Here is the concrete fact, when it comes to your health, you have to be your own advocate, investigator, scientist, and Guinea Pig. You have to be the squeaky wheel. Ready, study, learn, follow those hunches, and better still ACT on those instincts. I wish I had. My job now is to talk about my experience. Share my journey in the hopes it may help someone else.

Tiny Tip: Unsure if the levels of benzine or other toxic gasses in your home are at safe levels? Invest in a bezine detector. Natural gas is odorless. They actually add a distinctive scent to it so people would know there is a gas leak. If you smell gas, there is a leak. The gas company will come out for free and test. CALL THEM!