Gas cooking (hobs, ovens, cookers) is responsible for indoor pollution above WHO guidelines, according to a study published on Monday 9 January by the NGOs CLASP and EPHA ( European Public Health Alliance).
The study, carried out by TNO, a Dutch research institute, is based on laboratory simulations under different scenarios (cooking types, ventilation conditions). It suggests that cooking with gas emits levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) above the WHO guidelines for outdoor air several times a week. In Western European countries, the WHO recommended daily limit of 25 µg/m3 for NO2 is exceeded 5 days out of 7 and the annual limit of 10 µg/m3 is also exceeded.
Gas hobs are also reported to emit carbon monoxide, ultrafine particles and other pollutants that can have serious health effects, especially for children.
On this basis, the NGOs recommend, among other things: - the setting of pollutant limits by the European Commission in the next review of eco-design requirements for domestic cooking appliances; - hazard warning labels for gas cooking appliances; - the approval by Member States and local authorities of laws encouraging efforts to accelerate the transition to electric cooking and full household electrification.
See the study: https://aeur.eu/f/4to (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)