Hidden Dangers of Gas

You have the best organic vegetables available, best spices, herbs and all other ingredients along with the healthiest cooking oil. Now that’s what makes for a nutritious and healthy meal, right? Wrong !

Pause for a minute and look around your kitchen, there is a silent killer sitting right before your very eyes — your gas stove!

All the “healthy eating” households, who have been cooking on gas for years, perhaps decades and kept blaming all other factors than your gas stove for a plethora of health problems in the family — think again. Recall the old timers warning about the perils of gas cooked food?

According to the recent finding, published in Environmental Science & Technology which is besides the numerous studies carried out in the recent times, cooking with gas emits carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter and even formaldehyde, which us considered unsafe by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Not many know, but these are directly linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular problems, and even cancer along with other severe health conditions.

“While gas stoves are convenient, they trigger respiratory issues, especially childhood asthma. In our pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, we often select the finest organic ingredients. But most people do not know that the gas stove quietly affects our health,” says Yojana Pokarna, founder of Orijine, a wellness clinic with blend of ayurveda. The most latest research from RMI, the University of Sydney, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine estimated that nearly 13 percent of childhood asthma cases have been linked to having a gas stove at home.

Health hazards

Listing out the serious health hazards of gas stoves, Yojana says gas stoves produce carbon monoxide, a gas that can be harmful even at low levels. Prolonged exposure can lead to symptoms like dizziness and fatigue.

“Gas stoves release fine particles that can enter our respiratory system, causing issues like asthma and bronchitis. Moreover, it releases Formaldehyde, which is not only linked to respiratory problems, but can lead to cancer. The release of harmful substances during cooking that pose significant health risks, often goes unnoticed by those preparing meals.”

While gas stoves pollute home and make your food unhealthy when they are in use, it even causes pollution when switched off. The research shows that gas stoves emit toxic compounds even when not in use. The most dangerous among them is benzene, a carcinogen.

Dr. Ambarish Joshi, Senior Consultant, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Primus Super Speciality Hospital insists that it is imperative to reconsider our cooking methods.

“Urban households predominantly rely on gas for cooking, often assuming it to be a healthy choice. But it’s not. However, if it’s a must to cook on gas, then one should take steps to cut down the gas pollution at home,” he says.

What is even more worrying is a study by PSE Healthy Energy which found benzene in 99% of samples it took in homes in California. Other chemicals discovered included xylene, toluene and ethylbenzene, which causes respiratory issues and cancer.

Dr Jagadeesh Kumar V, Senior consultant physician, lifestyle specialist at KIMS hospital says various studies have been conducted on this concept since 1996 and many publications later have emphasised the role of fuel emissions on health.

“Nitrous dioxide is an respiratory epithelial irritant (emitted by gas stoves) which causes constant irritation during the growing age of kids. It has a huge impact on their lives and directly effect their lungs,” he informs adding that symptoms of cough at night, cough on waking, wheeze at night and wheeze on waking are the initial health issues triggered by gas stoves which get serious with passage of time due to the gas stoves.

Look at alternatives

Chef Amit at Fairfield By Marriott in Mumbai, Amit offers an interesting perspective.

“We Indians are born food lovers and like to cook food in our authentic ways. Even today, food is cooked on Chulha and bio has burners across rural areas which makes it the most healthiest option,” he says.

The tradition to cook food in earthen ware is age old and holds the key to healthy eating. “We are the innovator of bio gas chulhas (cow dung chulha). By cooking in earthen ware and chulhas,  we started sustainability long time ago,” says the well-known chef.

Stating that Indian culture/ and traditions have kept people closer to nature since time immemorial, Amit says there are many other ways of eating healthy like tandoor, Zaamin Doz among others.

“Our ancestors used tandoor to cook food and there was also method called “Zaamin Doz” which came too us with Invaders in which you dig a pit and full it with coal and then you place a marble stone on top of coal on which food is cooked like fish, lamb and chicken which has prominent charcoal and earthy flavour to food,” explains Amit.

For example, most households cook rotis on direct flame, which ends up producing many harmful compounds including polycyclic hydrocarbons which is known to cause cancer.

If you are worried about the serious health hazards from gas stoves and have decided to do away with them, there are alternatives.

“Explore alternative cooking methods like electric stoves or induction cooktops, which produce fewer indoor pollutants,” suggests Yojana.

Of late, the West is experiencing a transformation in the kitchens with people switching over to induction stoves. But back home in India, people are just about warming up to the idea of having one while many give up due to the convenience and habit of using a gas stove at home. For many, the very idea of having an induction comes with the thought of shelling out extra bucks to buy specific types of cooking utensils needed for induction. It puts them off almost instantly.

Still, if one has to use gas stoves, then it’s important that they have good ventilation in kitchens. People can use effective exhaust fans or open windows. Regular maintenance of gas stoves to ensure it does not leak and lead to increase in emissions is also important,” experts say.

Nitrous dioxide is an respiratory epithelial irritant (emitted by gas stoves) which causes constant irritation during the growing age of kids. It has a huge impact on their lives and directly effect their lungs.” — Dr Jagadeesh Kumar V, Senior consultant physician, lifestyle specialist at KIMS.

Many of us use gas stoves in our kitchens, thinking they are convenient and efficient. But one can reduce the risks associated with gas stoves,” — Yojana Pokarna, founder of Orijine, a wellness clinic

In the pursuit of health-conscious cooking, don't overlook the hidden health risks posed by gas stoves. Exploring safer alternatives, such as electric or induction stoves, could represent a significant stride toward genuinely nutritious and secure cooking practices” — Dr Ambarish Joshi, Senior Consultant, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Primus Super Speciality Hospital.