California reignites war on gas stoves with new bill

A new bill in California will require that starting next year, all gas stoves will have warning labels on them alerting consumers to the health risks associated with them.

If bill AB 2513, introduced by Democratic Rep. Gail Pellerin, passes, these labels would be mandatory on gas stoves beginning in 2025.

Those who support the law believe it will help families combat respiratory problems such as asthma caused by exposure to furnace fumes. However, industry representatives argue that the law unfairly affects gas products and that it should be remembered that proper ventilation is required regardless of the fuel source.

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Under the bill, it would be illegal to sell a gas stove manufactured or sold online on or after January 1, 2025, or sold in a store on or after January 1, 2026, “unless the gas stove is affixed with a sticker in a conspicuous location,” the bill says.

When selling online, websites will be required to prominently display “a warning which includes, among other things, a specific statement on air pollutants that may be released from gas stoves. As specified,” the bill states.

A new bill in California will require warning labels to be placed on all gas stoves starting next year. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/File)

Last year, a polarizing debate over gas stoves erupted after Rich Trumka Jr., one of five commissioners on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, reportedly suggested that a blanket ban on new gas stoves was under consideration amid growing concerns about indoor air pollutants.

However, the Commissioner retracted his comments after causing a media frenzy and said The agency “will not take away anyone’s gas stove,” but “will consider all regulatory approaches” to protect the health and safety of consumers.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization have stated that gas stoves are unsafe and have been linked to respiratory diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular problems, cancer and other health conditions. According to reports by groups such as the Institute for Policy Integrity and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

According to a 2022 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, researchers found that 12.7% of current asthma cases among children in the United States are due to the use of gas stoves.

Consumer protection organisation “will not take away anyone’s gas stoves”

In a statement to Poltico, Pellerin reiterated that the bill proposed in California is not a ban on gas stoves.

“We’re essentially just asking that they be labeled and that people be instructed on how best to use them while maintaining good ventilation,” Pellerin said.

Jenn Engstrom, state director of the California Public Interest Research Group, said the bill is about providing consumers with adequate information so they can make “informed purchasing decisions.”

“Gas stoves are causing pollutants in our homes and increasing the risk of asthma and other respiratory diseases in children in our families,” Engstrom told FOX Business. “Many people are simply unaware of these pollutants and we believe consumers deserve the truth about the dangers of cooking with gas stoves so they can make good choices and properly protect their families. And that’s exactly what this warning label would do.”

A new bill in California requires warning labels to be placed on all gas stoves starting next year. (George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images/File)

FOX Business has reached out to Rep. Gail Pellerin’s office for comment.

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The warning would specifically state:

“WARNING: Gas stoves can emit nitrogen dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other pollutants into the air that can be toxic to people and pets. Stove exhaust, especially from gas stoves, has been linked to an increased number of respiratory illnesses. Young children, asthmatics and people with heart or lung disease are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of combustion pollutants. To reduce the risk of inhaling harmful gases, provide ventilation in the area and turn on a range hood when gas-powered stoves and ovens are in use.”

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), an industry advocacy group, opposes the bill on the grounds that the proposed warning label is “full of false statements about cooking with gas”.

AHAM spokeswoman Jill Notini said the bill was “another attempt to scare consumers about their gas products.”

“The current proposal would force companies to make false, misleading and scientifically controversial claims, including that the products have serious adverse health effects, without there being a strong scientific consensus on this,” AHAM said.

A new bill in California requires warning labels to be placed on all gas stoves starting next year. (Davide Bonaldo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images/File)

Notini argued that “ventilation – turning on a range hood, air purifier, bathroom fan or opening a window – can help mitigate the effects of odors, heat and pollutants when cooking food on gas or electric stoves,” she said.

Notini added that when it comes to indoor air quality, the message is simple: ventilation is always necessary when cooking. Stop focusing on gas.

The group supports education and regulations to increase the use of ventilation systems for both gas and electric appliances, Notini said.

Sarah Rumpf of FOX Business contributed to this report.