Health impacts of gas stoves draws new government scrutiny and highlights importance of improving air quality
Published 01-20-23
Submitted by International WELL Building Institute
Originally published by the International WELL Building Institute
A member of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently suggested that the regulatory body may further scrutinize gas stoves based on associated health hazards, such as linkages to childhood asthma and impact on overall health and well-being. Gas stoves emit a range of harmful pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde, impacting indoor air quality.
“Our homes should be places where we feel safe, healthy and protected,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. "But too often families are being exposed to harmful air pollutants, and many don’t realize that their gas stoves are a significant contributor. Knowing that, we have a responsibility to help people understand the risks as well as the remedies and to make sure the information they receive is backed by the evidence.”
Indoor air quality (IAQ), a major focus of the evidenced-backed WELL Building Standard and addressed in the Air concept, is a key ingredient in addressing public health and supporting the health of people inside our buildings and homes.
From addressing toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to ventilation and air monitoring, WELL takes a holistic approach to air quality. Here are some of the evidence-based strategies WELL prescribes to address indoor air quality:
Air Quality | Monitoring and Awareness
Over the last few years, IAQ has gained more and more attention from the White House to national lawmakers. As shared last year, the Biden Administration is doing more to shine a light on the importance of indoor air quality. Last fall, it hosted the first ever White House summit on Indoor Air Quality. The Administration also helped launch a more programmatic Clean Air in Buildings initiative, housed at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On the legislative side, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer introduced the Airborne Act, which would Incentivize commercial building owners to make IAQ improvements in their properties by providing them with a $1 per square foot tax credit. These are positive steps forward for advancing healthier air in buildings.
Better indoor air quality is good for each of us and all of us, whether we’re staying sheltered at home, working in an office, learning in a classroom or residing in a senior living community.
Here at IWBI, we are continuing to do our part to help promote these benefits to everyone.
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The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) is a public benefit corporation whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the built environment. IWBI administers the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) – a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of buildings that impact the health and well-being of the people who live, work, and learn in them. IWBI was established pursuant to a Clinton Global Initiative commitment to improve the way people live by developing spaces that enhance occupant health and quality of life by sharing the WELL Building Standard globally. www.wellcertified.com
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