RealClearScience reports research, done in New Zealand, showing kitchen gas ranges are a major source of indoor pollution and consequent negative health effects.
The study focused on two pollutants (nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter), both of which are linked to premature mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations, and childhood asthma. The study found that gas stoves often leak both.
The annual indoor health cost of a single gas stove is estimated at $5,258 (adapted to 2025 US dollars). A significant part of this comes from the cases of childhood asthma. Unflued (vent-free) gas heaters were found to be even more dangerous, with an annual indoor health cost estimated at $11,680 per appliance.
The first seven years of my life was spent living in a 1920s era house with two unvented gas heaters which were used in winter. I suffered hay fever but no asthma. Fortunately that house was located in SoCal, where winters aren’t super cold.
If memory serves, the heaters were not left burning overnight but were turned off at bedtime. On the plus side, our kitchen range was electric.
