What You Need to Know About Gas Heaters and Hazardous Emissions
Amid the national debate over gas stoves, some question the safety of other gas appliances such as stoves. Here’s what you should know:
Nearly half of American households rely on gas appliances for heating. According to the U.S. Census Bureau. Approximately 61 million water heaters, 58 million furnaces and 20 million dryers are powered by pipeline natural gas. statistics show.
Recent studies show gas stoves produce harmful emissions and have contributed to childhood asthmaSeveral VERIFY viewers have asked if the same is true for other gas appliances.
question
Do gas appliance emissions pose the same health risks as gas stoves?
answer
Gas appliances such as stoves and water heaters emit toxic gases, just like gas stoves. But the main difference between gas stoves and gas appliances is ventilation. Building codes require gas furnaces to be ventilated outdoors, but gas stoves do not, thus reducing the risk of exposure.
what we found
Anything that burns gas produces carbon monoxide and other dangerous combustion byproducts, according to Kelly Johnson Arbor, M.D., medical director of the National Capital Poison Center.
“At Poison Control, for example, gas dryers, gas generators, gas furnaces, we get calls every year from people with carbon monoxide poisoning,” Johnson Arbor said. “If it doesn’t run on electricity, or if it runs on fossil fuels like gasoline, propane, kerosene, and petroleum, it will produce toxic by-products.”
Studies show that in homes where gas appliances are used, they produce harmful air pollutants that can affect health and air quality. for example, study A research team led by a visiting scientist at Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health found at least 21 harmful air pollutants in 200 Boston homes with natural gas appliances, whether gas stoves or furnaces.
The main difference between gas stoves and other appliances is open fire and ventilation.
A gas stove has an open fire on the cooktop, while a furnace entraps natural gas as it burns.
For gas stoves and open flames, many building codes do not require the smoke to be carried outdoors through an exhaust fan or range hood. Some kitchens may have these features, but many do not. Also, people who use fans and hoods may not use them consistently while cooking.
For gas-powered furnaces and water heaters, it is standard practice across the United States that building codes require that furnace by-products be vented outdoors.
of Domestic fuel gas regulations Provides guidelines on how to build, install and ventilate gas appliances. This regulation stipulates that proper ventilation to the outside is required as a standard for gas appliances such as domestic furnaces.
Nick Gromiko, spokesman for the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, told VERIFY that building codes are largely uniform and are adopted locally, not federally.
for example, Oregon Residential Building Code All gas powered equipment should be vented outside the unit/house.
Same goes for other states Minnesota, new mexico and Montana.
However, just because regulations are in place doesn’t mean the risk is zero.
Gromiko warned of carbon monoxide poisoning if gas appliances are broken or not installed correctly.
“If not installed properly, exhaust fumes will back up into your home and put your occupants to sleep forever,” he told VERIFY.
Johnson Arbor told VERIFY that he recommends inspecting all appliances once a year to ensure there are no cracks or leaks. He also said people should have carbon monoxide detectors in their homes and not put those carbon monoxide detectors in the same room where gas appliances are installed. This is because trace amounts of carbon monoxide may be detected and accurate measurements may not be obtained.
If carbon monoxide is leaking, these are the symptoms Note the following:
- headache
- weakness
- dizzy
- nausea or vomiting
- difficulty breathing
- confusion
- blurry vision
- sleepiness
- loss of muscle control
- loss of consciousness
- amnesia
- personality change
- movement problem
Get fresh air and seek medical attention immediately as carbon monoxide poisoning is possible. The Mayo Clinic advises:.
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https://www.wtol.com/article/news/verify/health-verify/gas-furnaces-toxic-emissions-gas-stoves-fact-check/536-d263d72e-f7a9-4d0b-8e20-3264c134d06a What You Need to Know About Gas Heaters and Hazardous Emissions