Photo by André François McKenzie on Unsplash

I have written previously about how cooking is a major source of indoor air pollution but a new report highlights particular risk from gas stoves and ovens. Homes with gas stoves can have nitrogen dioxide concentrations that are 50 to 400 percent higher than homes with electric stoves.¹

Gas appliances can emit a range of pollutants including:

• Carbon monoxide
• Nitrogen oxides, including nitrogen dioxide
• Fine particulate matter
• Formaldehyde and other VOCs

Health effects from these pollutants include respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.  Children who are exposed to nitrogen dioxide have an increased risk for asthma.  There is also evidence that suggests a small increase in fine particulate matter can lead to a large increase in COVID-19 death rates.² 

The impact on air quality from gas cooking is greater the smaller your living space because the pollutants are more concentrated.

What to do if you own a gas stove or oven?

• Consider replacing it with an electric stove/oven.
• Properly ventilate.

Make sure your range hood meets code requirements.  It’s estimated that only half of new U.S. homes meet code requirements for range hoods.  Studies also show that many people do not use their range hoods when cooking.  If your range hood doesn’t extend over your front burners, make sure to cook on your back burners.

If you don’t have a range hood that vents to the outside, open your windows while cooking.

• Purchase an air purifier that removes small particles and gases.

Be aware that many popular air purifiers are not effective at removing small particle and gas pollutants from cooking.  (see Air Purifier Buying Guide)

Question from Dalin

Unfortunately, I am not aware of list that tells which washers and dryers have the Proposition 65 warning.  You can call GE and ask them what chemical is used in your model that requires the warning.  Then you can ask where it is used in the machine and what the consumer exposure is.  Often times, the warning is for something that is used in the cord or another component that the consumer has little or no exposure to during normal use.

Question from Whitney

Indeed it does say they use ozone!  I have removed it from Debra’s List.  I will need to do further research to better understand the risk.  In the meantime, I would chose another deodorant.

Question from Joseph

I am working on a Buying Guide for Toasters that will be posted next week.  Check back then!

Question from Lisa

I am working on a Buying Guide for Toasters that will be posted next week.  Check back then!

I hope you have had a chance to read my new Air Purifier Buying Guide. I received a lot of questions about other air purifiers that were not discussed. The guide is designed so that you can evaluate any air purifier you are considering by comparing the outlined criteria. I did get multiple requests to look specifically at the following brands:
* Air Doctor
* Airpura
* Aireox
* Austin HealthMate Plus Junior

Here is a review of these additional brands. I hope you find it helpful.

New Air Purifier Reviews

Question from Ron

Sur La Table’s GreenPan is a hard anodized aluminum core with ceramic non-stick coating.  Studies have shown that ceramic coatings can release nanoparticles into food.  According to the study, chronic exposure can cause immune system disruption and pre-cancerous lesions to the gut.  Most manufacturers do not specify exactly what is in their coatings because it is proprietary.  Without further testing to prove safety, I don’t recommend any cookware with non-stick coatings.

Man Pans are anodized aluminum with a non-stick coating.  They also do not reveal what is in their coating because it is proprietary.  While they claim that the coatings do not chip or flake, I would also be concerned about the possibility because aluminum is very prone to leaching.

I wouldn’t use either pan.

Question from Melissa

Hi Lisa, thank you for this wonderful resource!  We are in the process of a home renovation project, which includes moving our kitchen and several lightly used bathrooms (powder room
and guest room/office bathroom).

Our contractor was planning to use PEX piping for all incoming water.  I know there are concerns about leaching from PEX pipes.  Would you share that concern?

One alternative is copper pipes.  The contractor is pricing this for us for our kitchen only, as it is likely too expensive to use everywhere (the kitchen is our highest priority for uncontaminated water).  Do you have health concerns with copper pipes and/or joint materials that would be used with it?

For the other locations, I know that polypropylene pipes are sometimes considered safer than PEX, but that there could be concerns about joint material used with polypropylene pipes.  What do you think about polypropylene  vs PEX?

Here is a very good guide by EWG on pipes.  Perhaps use copper with lead-free joints where affordable and polypropylene pipes on the remainder.

Question from TJG

After an exhaustive search for a 100% nylon shower curtain (untreated) I settled for one that some websites touted as having the lease toxic material (Berning).  But when I received product which was labeled as 100% nylon, I cross referenced it on manufacturers sight (Carnation Home fashions) and it was classified as polyester. There is no chemical odor to it but is nylon a safer material for those with chemical sensitivities and allergies?

If the product is labelled 100% nylon, it should be nylon.  I looked at the manufacturer’s website and see where it says it is 100% nylon but then goes on to say it is 100% polyester.  You could call the company to clarify.  Perhaps it is a typo.  I can’t tell you what any sensitive person will react to because everyone is different.

Question from Joyce

I have a small teapot, sugar and creamer labeled L.H. Vaughn, Taunton, Mass.    In searching I discovered he started in business in 1915.  They have not darkened in the 6 years I have had them.  Did he use lead in the making of his pewter items?  Because they have not darkened in time can I assume there is no lead in them?

I can’t tell you about that particular maker, but old pewter (made before the 1970’s) was typically made with lead.  Did you purchase them new 6 years ago or are they older pieces?  If they were made in the early 1900’s I would assume there is lead in it.  It is generally true that the darker the pewter, the more lead.  However, since there is no safe level of lead, I would not recommend using it.