Household gas turned out to be many times more dangerous than passive smoking

New research showedthat household gas appliances can increase air levels of the chemical benzene, a known carcinogen also found in cigarette smoke.

The study was led by scientists from Stanford and was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. It states that "the concentration of benzene in the room, formed in the flame of gas stoves, can be higher than the average concentration from secondhand smoke."

American Cancer Society long ago warnsthat one of the main problems associated with gas appliances is the release of benzene, which leads to childhood asthma, and also increases the risks of developing certain types cancer, including leukemia. And a new study confirms this.

Benzene is a flammable liquid at room temperature that evaporates quickly in air and is one of the most widely used chemical compounds. It is found in plastics, detergents, pesticides, gasoline, cigarette smoke, and so on.

The Stanford University study examined 87 California and Colorado homes using methane and propane to determine average benzene levels in kitchens and bedrooms.

Measurements confirmed that in some homes, indoor concentrations far exceeded recommended health targets even after appliances were turned off.

In 29% of the subset of cases studied, "one gas burner on a high temperature or oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 Celsius), raised the concentration of benzene in the kitchen above the upper range of benzene concentrations from passive consumption of tobacco smoke."

This new study is also the first to document benzene contamination during the use of gas appliances, showing its concentration hundreds of times higher than in previous tests focused on the leakage of unburned gas.

If you currently use gas appliances, then experts recommend checking the ventilation systems in the house to make sure they are functioning optimally. If possible, it is worth switching to an electric or induction stove, this will reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, the study authors added.