Stanford University study reveals terrifying truth about gas stoves and ovens

A new study might make you reconsider your kitchen appliances. Photo / Getty Images

A concerning new warning about gas stoves may make you reconsider your kitchen appliance choices.

Cooking with gas has been a topic of interest lately after it was announced last month that the New Zealand government’s gas transition plan is due for consultation this year, and now, a recent study shows it may not be the worst thing as gas stoves and ovens have been linked to cancer-causing chemicals and other health problems.

The study - which was conducted at Stanford University in America and surveyed 87 home stoves - found that cooking with gas has effects “worse than passive smoking”, according to news.com.

It found that if a gas cooktop is set to high or gas oven heated at 180C, benzene levels - also known as a carcinogen - can be higher than second-hand tobacco smoke levels. The study also found that benzene exposure is a result of burning gas by itself and added that benzene emissions were not found in food being cooked with the gas appliances.

Rinnai reported in 2021 that approximately 600,000 Kiwi households use LPG and natural gas energy every day for cooking, hot water and heating.

Findings from the US study went on to note that even though the exposure is not found in food, there are still concerns to be had as oven-produced benzene has the potential to migrate around the home where it can linger for several hours.

“Benzene produced by gas and propane stoves also migrated throughout homes, in some cases elevating bedroom benzene concentrations above chronic health benchmarks for hours after the stove was turned off,” the study read.

“Combustion of gas and propane from stoves may be a substantial benzene exposure pathway and can reduce indoor air quality.”

According to the American Cancer Society, benzene exposure has been linked to many blood cancers including childhood leukaemia, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

While a study published in The Conversation found that a poor supply of oxygen when cooking with gas or solid fuels can produce harmful pollutants resulting in irritated lungs, increased risk of asthma, lung cancer and heart disease such as stroke.

To avoid benzene exposure, studies recommended gas oven and stovetop users install “good ventilation” in their kitchens, and noted that this excludes exhaust fans which have been found to be “ineffective”. Other findings see frying less, shortening cooking time and monitoring kitchen air quality can also be beneficial in minimising your exposure to harmful chemicals.