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Nitrogen dioxide exposure, health outcomes, and associated demographic disparities due to gas and propane combustion by US stoves

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Mar 22, 2024 version files 90.88 MB

Abstract

Gas and propane stoves emit nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution indoors, but the exposures of different U.S. demographic groups are unknown. We estimate NO2 exposure and health consequences using emissions and concentration measurements from >100 homes, a room-specific indoor air quality model, epidemiological risk parameters, and statistical sampling of published housing characteristics and occupant behavior. Gas and propane stoves increase long-term NO2 exposure by an estimated 4.0 ppbv on average across the United States, 75% of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s exposure guideline. This increased exposure may cause approximately 50 thousand cases of current pediatric asthma from long-term NO2 exposure alone. Short-term NO2 exposure from typical gas stove use frequently exceeds both World Health Organization and U.S. EPA benchmarks. Residents of residences <800 ft2 in size incur 4 times more long-term NO2 exposure than residents of residences >3000 ft2 in size; American Indian/Alaska Native and Black and Hispanic/Latino households incur 60% and 20% more NO2 exposure, respectively, than the national average.