Asthma Control Before and After Changing Gas Stoves to Electric Stoves

Cooking on natural gas stoves is a major source of indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure and may contribute to asthma exacerbations.

To assess asthma control before and after changing gas stoves to electric stoves.

We replaced gas stoves with electric stoves in the homes of 85 individuals with poorly controlled asthma (Asthma Control Questionnaire [ACQ] score ≥ 1.5) and determined changes in ACQ score from baseline (1-4 weeks before stove change) to follow-up (2-3 months after change). Changes in emergency room visits or hospitalizations for asthma, missed work or school days because of asthma, and NO₂ levels were also examined.

ACQ score improved from 2.6 to 1.5 after the stove change (difference -1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.3 to -0.8). At baseline, 10 individuals (11.8%) had an emergency room visit or hospitalization in the past 4 weeks. At follow-up, 3 individuals (3.5%) had an emergency room visit or hospitalization in the past 4 weeks (absolute difference -8.2%, 95% CI: -16.2% to -3.4%). There were also significant improvements in missed work or school days. Indoor NO₂ levels decreased from 21.0 to 6.3 ppb (change -14.7, 95% CI: -20.8 to -8.7).

Asthma control appeared to improve in the follow-up period after electric stove installation compared with the baseline period with a gas stove. People with poorly controlled asthma may consider transitioning away from gas stoves depending on their resources and circumstances. A controlled clinical trial is needed to confirm these findings and to assess long-term outcomes.