Gas hobs: the indoor pollutant you may be unaware of

Earlier in the year we reported on indoor air quality and it’s such a hot topic that Which? has conducted further research into the matter. Its most recent area of analysis concerned gas hobs – an appliance found in millions of UK homes.

The consumer champion set out to measure the levels of indoor air pollution emitted when cooking on gas. The tests compared the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) – two of the most damaging air pollutants – in the homes of five people.

Four participants cooked on a gas hob while the fifth used an induction hob. For balance and benchmarking, Which? also measured the NO2  and PM2.5 levels on the busy Marylebone Road in central London.

Gas hob pollution as bad as a busy road

Worryingly, Which? found using a gas hob can create higher levels of indoor air pollution than found on Marylebone Road. Increased levels correlated with longer cooking durations and the greater number of gas rings lit at the same time, although using just one ring to slow cook doubled indoor pollution levels. In comparison, the person using the induction hob was only exposed to ‘background’ levels of pollution, mainly stemming from the outside environment.

The biggest pollution risk was to those in the same room while the cooking took place, although the levels of harmful pollutants remained elevated for several hours after the gas was turned off. Pollution was also found to spread, with levels registering high in other rooms.

Red flag for respiratory illnesses

Indoor levels of NO2  and PM2.5 are a worry for those who already suffer from respiratory illnesses as they can potentially worsen lung cancer. Exposure can also increase the risk of developing heart disease and Parkinson’s disease in adults, and contribute to children developing asthma and a wide range of other respiratory diseases.

How to reduce gas pollution risks

If indoor air pollution is a concern in your household, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk. Replacing a gas hob with an induction alternative will have the biggest impact, drastically reducing indoor pollutants.

If a replacement hob isn’t possible, always use an extractor fan that’s vented to the outside, and open windows and doors while using a gas hob. To achieve the cleanest gas burn, ensure your gas hob is serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer on a regular basis. 

Users can also reduce risks by keeping their gas hob well maintained between services. Regularly take off all removable parts, soak them in hot soapy water and dry them with a cloth. The hob itself should be wiped over with a damp cloth, using a sponge to remove any stubborn, burnt-on debris.

It’s also important to recognise when your gas hob could be working inefficiently. Look out for sooty deposits and flames that burn orange or white. A gas flame should burn a crisp blue and your hob should not give off a strong smell of gas when lit. 

All of these signs can indicate incomplete combustion, resulting in the production of carbon monoxide. If in any doubt about your gas hob’s condition, stop using it and call out a Gas Safe registered engineer.

If you’d like to see a list of available properties where the hob runs off electricity, please get in touch.