They’re going to be coming for your gas appliances

BY JOHN MATHER

Any time New York Democratic Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez opens her mouth, you know whatever comes out will be interesting. Realistic or making sense, not so much… but interesting.

This week she jumped on the initial vague proposals that gas powered stoves are bad for you which prompted several U.S. jurisdictions immediately to consider putting a ban on them.

And Ocasio-Cortez, tweeted, “Did you know that ongoing exposure to NO2 from gas stoves is linked to reduced cognitive performance?”

Well maybe she knows because judging by her performance on almost any issue, she does suffer from reduced cognitive performance.

But be wary.

Just as our leaders across North America are trying to get rid of fossil fuels by capping development of the oil and gas industry and eliminating gas powered vehicles, this could be another wedge in this issue.

The Biden government began musing about making gas stoves outlawed after the Consumer Products Safety Commission said they can cause respiratory problems.

While many chefs enjoy the benefits of cooking with gas – the instant heat, the ease of temperature control and burners that are great for searing or simmering – according to Consumer Reports, what you can’t see might actually harm you.

Researchers at Consumer Reports conducted tests on gas ranges and found levels of nitrogen oxides at more than double the standard for outdoor air.

“Nitrogen oxides are pollutants more typically associated with outdoor sources like power plants and cars and trucks, but new studies suggest that gas ranges can actually produce these emissions inside your home,” said Paul Hope with Consumer Reports.

The President of the Canadian Gas Association, Timothy Egan, said in a statement, “The safety of our consumers, infrastructure and workers is the number one priority for the natural gas delivery industry. All gas heating equipment and appliances, including stoves, adhere to strict installation rules and regulations developed by the Canadian Standards Association.”

“According to Health Canada, all cooking, regardless of the energy source (natural gas, propane or electric), creates airborne emission.