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Stanford Just Proved: Gas Stoves Release 25x More Benzene Than Electric Ones — And It Spreads to Your Bedroom
A groundbreaking 2023 study led by researchers at Stanford University revealed a concerning source of indoor air pollution: the combustion of natural gas and propane in household gas stoves and ovens directly produces benzene, a potent and well-known human carcinogen.Benzene is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization), meaning there is strong evidence it causes cancer in humans. Long-term or repeated exposure to elevated levels of benzene has been firmly linked to an increased risk of leukemia (particularly acute myeloid leukemia), other blood cancers, and disorders of the bone marrow and blood cells.In the peer-reviewed research, published in Environmental Science & Technology on June 15, 2023, the team measured benzene emissions in 87 homes across California and Colorado. They discovered that lighting a single gas cooktop burner on high or running a gas oven at 350°F (177°C) could generate benzene emissions ranging from about 2.8 to 6.5 micrograms per minute—levels 10 to 25 times higher than those from comparable electric coil or radiant stoves. Notably, induction stoves and electric alternatives produced no detectable benzene, and the pollutant originated solely from the fuel combustion process itself, not from the food being cooked or any other source.In some homes, these emissions pushed indoor benzene concentrations above established health-based benchmarks, including levels higher than those typically found in secondhand tobacco smoke. The benzene didn’t stay confined to the kitchen; it spread throughout the house, drifting into bedrooms and other living areas, where it could linger for hours—even after the stove was turned off. Poor ventilation exacerbated the issue, allowing pollutants to build up and persist.These findings have intensified public health discussions about everyday exposure to combustion byproducts from gas appliances, especially in the roughly 47 million U.S. households (and millions more worldwide) that rely on natural gas or propane for cooking. While the study focused on benzene specifically, it builds on broader concerns about other pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide from gas stoves, which can contribute to respiratory issues, asthma aggravation, and other health problems over time.Importantly, the research emphasizes practical mitigation: effective ventilation makes a big difference. Using a properly functioning range hood that vents outdoors, turning on exhaust fans, opening windows during and after cooking, or improving overall home airflow can substantially lower indoor benzene and other pollutant levels. For those concerned about chronic exposure—particularly in households with children, the elderly, or individuals with pre-existing health conditions—switching to electric or induction stoves eliminates combustion-related benzene entirely.Follow-up studies by some of the same researchers have explored national-scale health impacts, estimating elevated cancer risks (especially for children in high-usage, poorly ventilated homes) and reinforcing that while gas stoves are a convenient appliance for many, the hidden indoor air quality risks warrant greater awareness, better ventilation practices, and informed choices about home cooking technology.
