INTRODUCTION
Three years ago, my 80-year-old mum turned on her gas cook top, and all 4 burners lit up.
Mum had been cooking with gas for years. I was always afraid of her forgetting to turn off the gas or that she would accidentally leave a tea towel next to the cook top and start a fire. I was also worried about her breathing the fumes from the gas cooktop.
Mums’ memory is not as good these days which amplified my concerns.
I had been trying to get her to switch to induction cooking for years because it is so much safer. The 4 burners lighting up scared her and she made the decision to switch to an induction cooktop herself.
THE PROBLEM
There are no guidelines for indoor air pollution in Australia. Most people are not aware that there are harmful levels inside their own homes from indoor gas for cooking and heating.
ASTHMA AS GAS COOKTOPS
Nitrogen dioxide released by gas cooktops is a potent respiratory irritant that can directly cause airway constriction. In population studies it is associated with both the development of asthma and with asthma attacks.
For a child with current asthma who lives in a home with a gas stove, 30% of their risk of asthma is from the stove. My adult patients with asthma have improved when they are no longer exposed to their gas cooktops. Gas cooktops also leak pollutants when they are not turned on.
Gas Room heaters
It has been shown in a study in school children who have flued gas heaters (combustion products are pumped outside) had less respiratory symptoms than children who had unflued gas heaters in their class rooms.
The microparticulate pollutants are also harmful. These tiny particles can be easily inhaled and travel into our blood stream. This can worsen those with pre-existing respiratory and heart problems in adults.
Gas cooktops also leak pollutants when they are not turned on. There are now monitors that you can buy to measure the NO2 , VOX and particulate matter 2.5 and 10 microns in your home.
SOLUTIONS
1. Improve ventilation: If the kitchen has a range hood ducted outside the house, it should be turned on every time the stove is used. Opening a window or door also helps.
2. If it’s an option, replace gas stoves with induction versions. A cheaper alternative is to use a portable induction cooktop which plugs into a power point. These cost about $100 and can greatly reduce the need to use a gas stove.
3. Remove unflued gas room heaters. Where the heater has a flue, combustion products
are removed, unless they are faulty. These heaters need to be serviced every two years.
4. Change to a reverse cycle air conditioner. They are now very energy efficient and the cheapest way to heat and cool a house. It is also important to make your house as thermally efficient as possible.
5. Buy an air purifier with a HEPA filter. There are many now that are dual purpose with air quality monitor. This could be the first step for some people as other steps will take more time.
I now no longer worry about my mother when she is cooking. She also has a reverse cycle air conditioner. And clean air in her house.
