Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH)

Gas Stoves and Your Health

March 22, 2023

Interviewee: Johnathan Levy, Sc.D.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Johnathan Levy, Sc.D., an environmental health researcher who has studied gas stove emissions for more than two decades. Levy discusses how pollutants released by gas stoves can harm health and the environment. He also offers tips to reduce indoor air pollutants and health risks associated with gas stoves.

Gas Stoves and Your Health

Found in nearly 40% of U.S. households, gas stoves emit nitrogen dioxide and other air pollutants that can harm respiratory health. Children and people with lung diseases, like asthma, are especially vulnerable to gas stove emissions. Additionally, because gas stoves leak heat-trapping methane gas into the environment they may also contribute to climate change.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Johnathan Levy, Sc.D., an environmental health researcher who has studied gas stove emissions for more than two decades. Levy discusses how pollutants released by these stoves can harm health and the environment. He also offers tips to reduce indoor air pollutants and health risks associated with gas stoves.

Interviewee:

Johnathan Levy, Sc.D., is chair of the Department of Environmental Health at Boston University. His research focuses on urban environmental exposure and health risk modeling, with an emphasis on spatiotemporal exposure patterns and related environmental justice issues. Levy’s recent and ongoing research topics include examining spatial patterns of air pollution in communities located near airports, estimating the public health benefits and equity implications of investments to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions, and evaluating the benefits of housing interventions on child asthma. Levy also served on the Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis, which provided guidance to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the impact of the Clean Air Act on health, the economy, and the environment.

Resources:

• Read this 2022 commentary, written by Levy, highlighting how gas stoves affect health and the environment.
• Learn more about the two studies referenced in this episode:
  • Levy JI, Lee K, Spengler JD, Yanagisawa Y. 1998. Impact of residential nitrogen dioxide exposure on personal exposure: An international study. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 48(6):553-60. [Abstract Levy JI, Lee K, Spengler JD, Yanagisawa Y. 1998. Impact of residential nitrogen dioxide exposure on personal exposure: An international study. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 48(6):553-60.]
  • Zota A, Adamkiewicz G, Levy JI, Spengler JD. 2005. Ventilation in public housing: Implications for indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations. Indoor Air 15(6):393-401. [Abstract Zota A, Adamkiewicz G, Levy JI, Spengler JD. 2005. Ventilation in public housing: Implications for indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations. Indoor Air 15(6):393-401.]