Gas Stove Burner

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire: The Gas Stove Toxicity Debate

  • by Jeremy MacMahon, Chelsea Unkel and Pamela J. Lein
Recent comments by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission about regulating gas stoves have triggered significant public debate in the United States (U.S.) about the harmful effects of gas stoves on human health. So, what is the science surrounding this issue? Gas cooking is a predominant source of household air pollution

It is now scientific consensus that household air pollution can increase the risk for numerous noncommunicable diseases, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

Air pollution from cars

Air pollution- A Real Heartbreaker

  • by Maddie Hunt

Air quality across America has improved dramatically over the past few decades, making many a doctor’s heart sing. Since passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970, the six most common air pollutants dropped an average of 73 percent. By decreasing the pollution people breathe, so goes the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory disease.

Brain science

Pamela Lein, PhD

 

Pamela Lein, PhD is a neurotoxicologist and developmental neurobiologist who studies the interaction between genes and environment that can lead to a variety of complex disorders from asthma to autism and Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Lein’s work focuses on the way environmental stressors like pesticides and near-roadway exposures—which include car exhaust and particles from tire wear and tear—can both change the structure of nerve cells and disrupt how they communicate with each other and with other tissues throughout the body.

California coastline

Anthony Wexler, PhD

 

Anthony Wexler, PhD, MS is a research scientist who measures and models atmospheric aerosols related to urban smog, human health and global warming. His engineering background is the foundation for his understanding of the body’s physiological systems.

Xray lungs and heart

Kent Pinkerton, PhD

 

Kent Pinkerton, PhD is a Professor of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine and Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology in the School of Veterinary Medicine. An expert on air pollution, Dr. Pinkerton researches how vapors, gases, particles and fibers change the way respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological cells develop and function.

Air particles

Deborah Bennett, PhD

 

Deborah Bennett, PhD is an exposure scientist whose research both measures and models chemicals in dust, air and consumer products.

Dr. Bennett studies volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) like plasticizers, electronics, cosmetics, flame retardants, pesticides and particulate matter. Working closely with epidemiologists and toxicologists, she researches how chemicals make their way into the body and set off biological reactions that lead to certain diseases and conditions, from asthma to autism.

Community members with scientists

Smoky air a reminder not everyone walks away from environmental disasters

  • by Aubrey Thompson

When the air in the San Joaquin Valley was thick with smoke during Butte County’s Camp Fire late last year, UC Davis closed its doors to protect students, staff and faculty. Rather than ask us to traverse campus for classes and meetings, the administration told us to steer clear of the bad air by working remotely. My colleagues and I felt lucky working for an institution that cared about our health, and I was grateful to have a well-filtered retreat at home.

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