Study: Gas Kitchen Air Pollution, Heat Exceed Health Limits
Peer-reviewed research finds nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and benzene above guidelines in gas and propane restaurant kitchens, while all-electric kitchens stayed within limits.
A peer-reviewed study published on Tuesday concluded that workers in restaurant kitchens using gas and propane appliances are exposed to air pollution and heat levels that exceed health guidelines. The research appeared in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and PSE Healthy Energy, working with chef Christopher Galarza. It is described as the first US study to compare air quality and heat in gas versus all-electric commercial kitchens under real-world working conditions, according to CNET.
Researchers measured air temperature and pollutants including methane, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and benzene across 21 gas kitchens, three propane kitchens and three all-electric kitchens in California, New York and Pennsylvania.
About 70% of the gas kitchens surpassed the US Environmental Protection Agency's 1-hour outdoor air standard for nitrogen dioxide. In gas and propane kitchens, roughly 170 cumulative hours were recorded in which nitrogen dioxide concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization's hour-averaged exposure recommendation. One kitchen's 15-minute average nitrogen dioxide level exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommended short-term workplace exposure limit.
Carbon monoxide and benzene concentrations exceeded California's 1-hour exposure guidelines in three and five gas kitchens, respectively. No all-electric kitchen exceeded pollution-exposure health guidelines during cooking hours. About 71% of gas kitchens with overnight monitoring recorded higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Earlier context
In July, a separate study found that switching from a household gas stove to an electric one can improve asthma symptoms. The study is part of PSE Healthy Energy's Methane and Health Initiative, and the National Restaurant Association reports that more than 15.7 million Americans work in the food service industry, with about 5 million spending all their working hours in the kitchen.
Quick answers
What did the study find about gas restaurant kitchens?
It found that workers in gas and propane kitchens are exposed to air pollution and heat levels exceeding health guidelines, with about 70% of gas kitchens surpassing the EPA's 1-hour outdoor air standard for nitrogen dioxide.
Which pollutants were measured in the study?
Researchers measured methane, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and benzene, along with air temperature, in 21 gas kitchens, three propane kitchens and three all-electric kitchens.
Did all-electric kitchens exceed health guidelines?
No. According to the study, no all-electric kitchen exceeded pollution-exposure health guidelines during cooking hours.