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New Research Shows Over 50% Drop in Nitrogen Dioxide Levels with Induction Stoves
July 23, 2024 – A groundbreaking study led by scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reveals that transitioning from gas to electric induction stoves can cut indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution by more than 50 percent. Published in Energy Research & Social Science, this research underscores a critical step in improving indoor air quality and public health.
The study, part of a pilot project named “Out of Gas, In with Justice,” spearheaded by the Northern Manhattan-based nonprofit WE ACT for Environmental Justice, is the first of its kind to assess the feasibility and benefits of switching from gas to induction stoves in affordable housing. This pilot project uniquely evaluates the effects of residential cooking electrification within a public housing setting in the U.S.
This research aligns with recent legislative efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving indoor air quality. In 2023, New York City enacted a law banning gas-powered heaters, stoves, and water boilers in all new buildings to meet climate goals. Similarly, California’s 2022 statewide building code mandates buildings to be “all-electric ready.” Gas stoves are prevalent in approximately 38 percent of U.S. homes, with usage varying by state, reaching 62 percent in New York.
The study focused on 20 low-income households in a public housing building in the Bronx. Participants were randomly assigned to either replace their gas stove with an induction stove or remain with their gas stove. Over seven-day monitoring periods conducted from October 2021 to July 2022, researchers assessed indoor air quality metrics, including NO2, carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM2.5), both before and after the stove replacement. Controlled cooking tests were also performed to measure the impact on air quality.
Key findings include a 56 percent reduction in average daily NO2 concentrations in homes with induction stoves compared to those with gas stoves. During controlled cooking tests, the median NO2 concentration in gas stove homes surged from a background level of 18 parts per billion (ppb) to 197 ppb, while levels in induction stove homes remained relatively stable. No significant changes were observed in CO and PM2.5 levels. Participants expressed high satisfaction with their new induction stoves, praising their faster heating capabilities and safer, cooler cooking surfaces. All participants chose to retain the induction stoves despite having the option to revert to gas cooking at no cost.
The study highlights the health benefits associated with reducing NO2 exposure, which is linked to exacerbated respiratory diseases, increased hospital admissions, and premature mortality. Long-term NO2 exposure is also associated with asthma onset and other health issues.
“These results indicate that energy transitions away from gas stoves can significantly enhance health outcomes by lowering indoor nitrogen dioxide levels while also addressing the broader health impacts of energy use in low-income communities,” noted Dr. Misbath Daouda, the study’s first author and assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of California Berkeley.
While the study did not measure the climate benefits directly, it is well-documented that gas stoves contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, has over 80 times the global warming potential of CO2 over a 20-year period.
“Prioritizing electric stoves in green energy transitions is crucial, as they not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also improve the health of vulnerable populations,” emphasized Dr. Darby Jack, senior author and professor of environmental health sciences.
The study’s implications are particularly significant for low-income communities and communities of color, who are disproportionately affected by poor indoor air quality and health disparities. “Ensuring that marginalized communities are not left behind in the transition to cleaner energy is essential for achieving environmental justice,” said Annie Carforo, Climate Justice Campaigns Manager at WE ACT.
The research team included Diana Hernández at Columbia Mailman, Andrew Hallward-Driemeier, Steve Chillrud, and Roisin Commane at Columbia’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory; Annie Carforo and Jennifer Ventrella at WE ACT; Michael Johnson and Heather Miller at Berkeley Air Monitoring Group; Yu Ann Tan at RMI, Carbon-Free Buildings; Jessica Tryner at Access Sensor Technologies; and Michelle Feliciano at the Association for Affordability, Inc. The study was partially funded by the Climate Imperative Foundation and the Summit Foundation.
For further information, please contact Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health or WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
