Modern homes with gas stoves, ovens, and heaters can produce NO₂ levels that exceed health guidelines within minutes. Chronic exposure—even at levels below what you can smell—has been linked to asthma in children, impaired brain development in unborn babies, as well as the acceleration of a variety of health issues in the elderly, including osteoporosis, dementia, diabetes and many more.
Why You Should Measure NO₂ in Your Home:
Gas Appliances & NO₂ Pollution
Peer-reviewed research from Stanford University and others has shown that typical gas stove use in U.S. homes increases average long-term NO₂ exposure by 4 parts per billion—75% of the WHO’s annual guideline[1]. During cooking, indoor NO₂ can exceed WHO’s 1-hour limit (~100 ppb) on multiple days each year, even in well-ventilated homes[1].
Health Impacts Across Life Stages:
Children: Long-term NO₂ exposure is a proven risk factor for developing and worsening asthma[4,7,8].
Pregnancy: A 2025 Lancet Planetary Health study found prenatal NO₂ exposure is associated with measurable changes in fetal brain development, including shallower cortical grooves and enlarged cerebrospinal fluid spaces—patterns linked to later cognitive and motor difficulties[6].
Older Adults: Controlled animal studies demonstrate that NO₂ inhalation can accelerate Alzheimer’s disease–like changes in the brain, increasing amyloid plaque buildup, neuroinflammation, and neuron loss[9].
Why Indoor Exposure Is Often Worse Than Outdoors: Indoor NO₂ from gas combustion can reach concentrations many times higher than outdoor air, especially in small, enclosed kitchens without effective range hoods[1,3]. Unlike outdoor air, indoor NO₂ isn’t regulated in the U.S.[2], leaving families unaware of the risks until symptoms appear.
Key Takeaway: From the womb to old age, NO₂ can affect the brain, lungs, and overall health. Monitoring and reducing indoor NO₂ is an essential step in creating a healthy home.
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