Via Roger Donway – February 11, 2022
Ed. This work is adapted from a post on LinkedIn by Steve Everley, communications consultant in the energy sector.
A study last month made some scary headlines about the “health risks” of gas stoves — a device most homeowners prefer (and for good reason).
If you’re scared, take a deep breath. You got confused.
First of all, the headlines the study generates are alarming. Things like:
“Gas stoves pose a greater threat to health and climate impact than previously known, study finds” (CNN)
“Kitchen gas stoves pose a risk to public health and the planet, study shows” (Washington Post)
“Stanford scientists find the climate and health impacts of natural gas stoves greater than previously thought” (official release)
But it got worse.
One of the researchers said in the press release announcing the study that you should replace gas stoves with electric ones: “Why not reduce the risk altogether? Switching to an electric stove will cut greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution,” said Dr. Rob Jackson, Stanford professor and study co-author.
Dr. Jackson also told Washington Post that you should replace the gas stove with an electric one, although he did warn “if you can afford to do so”. Probably wise, because electricity is more expensive than gas, often significantly.
But here’s the best (worst) part: After weeks of those creepy headlines rising, the lead author of that study — in a comment buried deep in a story published February 10 in Popular mechanics—Say: In fact, replacing your perfectly fine gas stove is “not the appropriate response at this time.”
Lead author Eric Lebel said: “We don’t want people to go out and get rid of a perfectly good gas stove completely.
Wait, what?!
After weeks of reports that your gas stove was secretly harming you and your family, we discovered that you just need to ensure proper ventilation (this is true regardless of whether you use gas or not). electricity).
But the damage was done. Google “gas stoves and health” and you’ll find loads of headlines about that research that can scare working families into creating expensive alternatives that both can’t afford and no need to perform.
Meanwhile, another expert told a separate media that the researchers wrapped the kitchens in a Mylar tent to “trap and concentrate the emissions, then measure the concentration.” No one cooks in a kitchen like that! He said it would be “incorrect” to draw any health conclusions from the article.
If you like electrical appliances, that’s great. A lot of people do, and having that option is key to affordability.
But this is not zero sum. Gas appliances are safe. If your home has gas appliances, you’re safe — and you’re probably saving some money, too.
Hopefully, all of us journalists, we can all agree that the next time a study makes a claim about how gas appliances are said to be harmful to your health, a Appropriate consideration will be applied at the time and in the same article as the notice. no.
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