What's happening A new study shows natural gas to contain more carcinogens than previously thought. The same study found that about 5% of stoves leak small amounts of gas when not in use.
Why it matters While more research is needed to nail down the dangers, these findings could mean your gas stove is emitting harmful amounts of airborne toxins into your home.
What's next We've provided some easy ways to mitigate risk while we wait for more conclusive results on exposure levels and health risks associated with the study's findings.
A new study from Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that natural gas used in homes contains more toxins than previously thought. It also shows that gas-powered kitchen stoves often leak low levels of potentially harmful gas, even when they're not on.
The 16-month study published on June 28 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology took samples from 69 stoves in homes serviced by three different natural gas companies across the Boston area. Testing of the precombustion (unburned) methane gas found over 300 chemicals, including 21 airborne toxins. Those toxins notably included low levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, which was discovered in 95% of the natural gas tested. READ MORE...
