Doctor reveals household item that's 'as bad for your health as living with a smoker'

A household staple could be the unseen culprit behind your family's health issues.

Dr. Ben Ewald, with three decades of medical experience, has raised concerns about gas stoves , suggesting they might be more harmful than we realize. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he likened the risks to passive smoking .

He warned: "Living with a gas stove is the health equivalent of living with a smoker."

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The danger is particularly acute for kids, as these stoves release nitrogen dioxide and other gases when burning fossil fuels.

These emissions can infiltrate your lungs, leading to respiratory problems such as asthma, with children and seniors being most vulnerable.

Moreover, gas stoves may emit benzene, a known carcinogen, through unburned fossil fuel leaks.

Dr. Ewald emphasized: "There are lots of causes of asthma, viruses are the biggest one, but gas stove exposure is on that list."

Contradicting this stance, the American Gas Association in 2022 refuted claims linking gas stoves to asthma, citing studies that found no significant connection.

However, Scientific American highlighted insights from Josiah Kephart, an environmental and occupational health assistant professor at Drexel University, who confirmed the detrimental impacts of gas stoves have long been recognized.

The Environmental Protection Agency has set standards to regulate the amount of nitrogen dioxide released in outdoor spaces, but no such regulations exist for indoor spaces.

New York has become the first state to ban gas stoves in new buildings, a policy that will take effect in 2026. However, this move has been met with resistance from gas and construction trade groups who have filed lawsuits claiming the policy violates federal government's gas appliances regulations.

The only surefire way to avoid the potential health risks associated with gas stoves is to switch to an electric one. The Inflation Reduction Act , effective until 2032, offers a rebate of up to $840 for the purchase of electric appliances, although there are income requirements to qualify for this benefit.