Gas and propane stoves remain a significant source of air pollution in residential homes and significantly exacerbate the long-term impact of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) on households. This is the conclusion reached by a group of researchers led by Stanford University in an article published in December 2025 in the journal PNAS Nexus.
The study, titled “Integrating indoor and outdoor nitrogen dioxide exposures in US homes nationally by ZIP code,” combines data on outdoor air pollution with estimates of emissions from gas stoves inside homes. According to their calculations, the average total long-term NO₂ exposure for households with gas stoves in the U.S. is about 10 ppbv, while for households with electric stoves it is about 8 ppbv; for the heaviest users of gas stoves, the figure can reach 18 ppbv or higher.
The authors note that for approximately 22 million people in the U.S., the level of long-term NO₂ exposure would fall below the World Health Organization’s recommended guideline if they reduced their use of gas and propane stoves or switched to electric ones. The study also indicates that gas stoves are responsible for over 99% of cases where the WHO’s short-term NO₂ guideline is exceeded in residential spaces.
According to Stanford, the risk is particularly high for small homes and apartments, as well as for households where stoves are used intensively and where ventilation is inadequate. The university emphasizes that as outdoor air quality improves, indoor sources of pollution, including kitchen appliances, are becoming an increasingly important factor for health.
Nitrogen dioxide is linked to an increased risk of asthma, chronic lung disease, preterm birth, diabetes, and lung cancer, according to Stanford’s explanations and accompanying materials for the publication. Against this backdrop, researchers believe that switching to electric stoves can significantly reduce the harmful effects of indoor air pollution.
As of 8:00 a.m. on September 28, the level of air pollution in Kyiv is very low, and the radiation background throughout the city is normal, according to the Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation of the Kyiv City State Administration.
According to the KCSA website, a total air quality index of 20 to 36 (very low level of pollution) was recorded at seven stationary air monitoring stations in different districts of the Ukrainian capital. The radiation background is 0.1 μSv/hour.
Kiev citizens are recommended to refrain from ventilating the premises and limit staying outdoors due to the high level of air pollution, the press service of the KSCA reported on Sunday morning.
“As of 08:00 on September 22, the level of air pollution in Kiev is high. Radiation background in the whole city is normal,” – stated in the message.
The probable cause of this may be fires in the ecosystem of the Kiev region, reports the Department of environmental protection and adaptation to climate change KSCA.
In KSCA until the situation improves, they recommend to close windows, limit staying outside, drink a lot of water, and turn on to maximum air purifier, if available.
air pollution, KIEV, staying outdoors, ventilation of premises
