After industry backlash and bipartisan condemnation, Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric said on Wednesday his agency is not looking to ban gas stoves.
In a Jan. 9 interview with Bloomberg, Commissioner Richard Trumka, a Democrat, said the independent agency would consider a ban on gas stoves in order to address indoor air pollution, referring to it as a “hidden hazard.” However, in a statement acknowledging Trumka’s comments had received considerable attention, Hoehn-Saric, also a Democrat, said a ban is not forthcoming.
“Research indicates that emissions from gas stoves can be hazardous, and the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce related indoor air quality hazards,” Hoehn-Saric said. “But to be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so.”
This spring, the CPSC is expected to solicit public comment for information on how to make the appliances safer. Gas stoves are estimated to be installed in at least 40 million U.S. residences.
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Natural gas stoves, which are used in about 40% of homes in the U.S., emit air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter.
The comments from Trumka, previously a staffer for the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, drew immediate pushback from lawmakers. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Joe Manchin III, D-West Virginia, said in a statement that any regulation would be “a recipe for disaster.”
“The federal government has no business telling American families how to cook their dinner,” said Manchin. “If this is the greatest concern that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has for American consumers, I think we need to reevaluate the commission.”
House Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, said it was the latest “in a long line of power grabs.”
“It is not about public safety,” said Rodgers. “It is about telling the American people the federal government knows best and will decide what kind of car they can drive, how they can heat their house, and now how they’re allowed to cook food for their families.”
Also on Wednesday, Republican Reps. Bill Huizenga of Michigan and Alex X. Mooney of West Virginia introduced legislation that would prohibit any federal agency from proposing, implementing or finalizing a rule that bans or restricts gas-powered stoves or cooktops.
“Americans should have the ability to choose the most affordable and most available way to cook food in their own home,” Huizenga said in a statement accompanying the draft bill. “It is absolutely ridiculous how out of control and out of touch the nanny state in Washington has become.”
While some treated the ban as imminent, Trumka had previously pushed for greater regulation of gas stoves with little success. In October, he called for the agency to direct staff to initiate rulemaking pertaining to gas stoves, but that proposed amendment to the agency’s fiscal 2023 operating plan did not receive support from any other commissioner. He then introduced a second amendment calling for staff to issue a request for information to receive public input.
Gas dangers
Studies have found that gas stoves emit significant levels of nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter and other pollution that, without proper ventilation, can raise indoor concentrations to unsafe levels.
A study led by the environmental think tank RMI that was published last month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that gas stoves are responsible for 12.7 percent of childhood asthma cases nationwide, a similar risk to exposure to secondhand smoke.
After the study was published, Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, and Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Virginia, led a letter to Hoehn-Saric encouraging the commission to consider additional regulations, including that gas stoves be sold with range hoods that meet mandatory performance standards.
The American Gas Association has pushed back against the conclusions of this study, arguing the researchers ignored relevant literature and examples of real-life appliance usage, and said the CPSC and other regulators should not rely on the data.
“Attempts to generate consumer fears with baseless allegations to justify the banning of natural gas is a misguided agenda that will not improve the environment or the health of consumers and would saddle vulnerable populations with significant costs,” the AGA said in a statement.
Debates over the future of gas stoves and other gas-powered appliances have raged on the state and local levels in recent years. Some liberal jurisdictions have instituted bans on new natural gas hookups as part of a wider push towards electrification in response to climate change. However, in response many Republican-led states have instituted their own laws that prohibit localities from implementing such regulations.
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The 5 most common causes of reported house fires
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As the temperature drops, the appeal of curling up on the sofa with a fluffy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate increases. Many people tend to stay indoors in the cooler months, their homes becoming warm, safe havens occasionally permeated by the aroma of holiday meals or gingerbread cookies.
But with more time spent indoors, furnaces and heaters, and kitchen appliances working over time, these seemingly cozy circumstances can quickly turn tragic. Westfield compiled a list of the most common causes of reported house fires from data collected by the National Fire Protection Association from 2015 to 2019. The numbers are unambiguous: House fires are more frequent in the cooler months. The report also shows the rate of fires peaks from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., when people with typical daytime work, school, and activity schedules return home.
Fire departments across the U.S. responded to an estimated average of 346,800 home fire calls each year between 2015 and 2019. An average of 2,620 people died each year in that timeframe, and over 11,000 were injured. Property damage due to house fires was $7.3 billion.
The following are the most common culprits of house fires, all of which should be placed on your household safety watchlist to prevent what should be a joyous time of year taking a potentially devastating turn.
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As the temperature drops, the appeal of curling up on the sofa with a fluffy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate increases. Many people tend to stay indoors in the cooler months, their homes becoming warm, safe havens occasionally permeated by the aroma of holiday meals or gingerbread cookies.
But with more time spent indoors, furnaces and heaters, and kitchen appliances working over time, these seemingly cozy circumstances can quickly turn tragic. Westfield compiled a list of the most common causes of reported house fires from data collected by the National Fire Protection Association from 2015 to 2019. The numbers are unambiguous: House fires are more frequent in the cooler months. The report also shows the rate of fires peaks from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., when people with typical daytime work, school, and activity schedules return home.
Fire departments across the U.S. responded to an estimated average of 346,800 home fire calls each year between 2015 and 2019. An average of 2,620 people died each year in that timeframe, and over 11,000 were injured. Property damage due to house fires was $7.3 billion.
The following are the most common culprits of house fires, all of which should be placed on your household safety watchlist to prevent what should be a joyous time of year taking a potentially devastating turn.
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The 5 most common causes of reported house fires
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- Percent of total house fires caused by smoking materials: 5%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 23% (#1 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 9% (#4 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 7% (#6 leading cause)
In the 1980s, more than 30% of the U.S. population smoked; by 2019, the number had just about halved. This decrease in the smoking population lowered the number of house fires caused by smoking materials, but not their lethality.
According to the NFPA's report, while the number of deaths from fires sourced to smoking materials in 2016 was 64% lower than in 1980, it was also the highest since 2006. Having a physical disability, being asleep, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and other conditions limiting people's ability to escape from smoke and flames contribute to smoking-related fire casualties.
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- Percent of total house fires caused by smoking materials: 5%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 23% (#1 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 9% (#4 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 7% (#6 leading cause)
In the 1980s, more than 30% of the U.S. population smoked; by 2019, the number had just about halved. This decrease in the smoking population lowered the number of house fires caused by smoking materials, but not their lethality.
According to the NFPA's report, while the number of deaths from fires sourced to smoking materials in 2016 was 64% lower than in 1980, it was also the highest since 2006. Having a physical disability, being asleep, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and other conditions limiting people's ability to escape from smoke and flames contribute to smoking-related fire casualties.
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The 5 most common causes of reported house fires
Animaflora PicsStock // Shutterstock
- Percent of total house fires caused by intentional fires: 7%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 15% (#5 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 7% (#5 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 8% (#5 leading cause)
Intentionally started fires may originate through everyday activities like lighting a barbeque grill or a backyard bonfire. Such actions could lead to accidental house fires. Controlled burns—those used to clear land or to protect forest health—can also spiral out of control leading to property damage and loss of life.
Arson, defined as "the act of knowingly burning personal property without consent or with unlawful intent," also falls into this category. The penalties for arson in private houses vary between states and by the degree of damage. Intentional fires cause about 400 deaths each year.
Animaflora PicsStock // Shutterstock
- Percent of total house fires caused by intentional fires: 7%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 15% (#5 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 7% (#5 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 8% (#5 leading cause)
Intentionally started fires may originate through everyday activities like lighting a barbeque grill or a backyard bonfire. Such actions could lead to accidental house fires. Controlled burns—those used to clear land or to protect forest health—can also spiral out of control leading to property damage and loss of life.
Arson, defined as "the act of knowingly burning personal property without consent or with unlawful intent," also falls into this category. The penalties for arson in private houses vary between states and by the degree of damage. Intentional fires cause about 400 deaths each year.
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The 5 most common causes of reported house fires
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- Percent of total house fires caused by electrical distribution and lighting equipment: 9%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 16% (#4 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 10% (#3 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 18% (#1 leading cause)
Electrical malfunctions, such as arc faults, can occur in any electricity-powered equipment. An arc fault is a high-power discharge between eroded or corroded conductors. Such faults can occur within the walls of a home, especially if an electrical outlet has begun to degrade or was installed incorrectly.
A high level of electrical current can produce enough heat to ignite a fire. To prevent this type of house fire, look for worn-out appliance cords, damaged connectors, loose wires in junction boxes or electrical devices, and faulty switches.
Thichaa // Shutterstock
- Percent of total house fires caused by electrical distribution and lighting equipment: 9%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 16% (#4 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 10% (#3 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 18% (#1 leading cause)
Electrical malfunctions, such as arc faults, can occur in any electricity-powered equipment. An arc fault is a high-power discharge between eroded or corroded conductors. Such faults can occur within the walls of a home, especially if an electrical outlet has begun to degrade or was installed incorrectly.
A high level of electrical current can produce enough heat to ignite a fire. To prevent this type of house fire, look for worn-out appliance cords, damaged connectors, loose wires in junction boxes or electrical devices, and faulty switches.
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The 5 most common causes of reported house fires
New Africa // Shutterstock
- Percent of total house fires caused by heating equipment: 13%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 18% (#3 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 12% (#2 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 14% (#3 leading cause)
Heating equipment fires follow a clear seasonal pattern—they happen more often in December, January, and February. Stationary or portable space heaters account for more than 80% of deaths related to home heating fires.
Over half of such casualties result from leaving heating equipment too close to clothing, upholstered furniture, mattresses, or bedding. Another cause of these kinds of fires is the lack of proper cleaning and maintenance of fireplaces and central heating systems.
New Africa // Shutterstock
- Percent of total house fires caused by heating equipment: 13%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 18% (#3 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 12% (#2 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 14% (#3 leading cause)
Heating equipment fires follow a clear seasonal pattern—they happen more often in December, January, and February. Stationary or portable space heaters account for more than 80% of deaths related to home heating fires.
Over half of such casualties result from leaving heating equipment too close to clothing, upholstered furniture, mattresses, or bedding. Another cause of these kinds of fires is the lack of proper cleaning and maintenance of fireplaces and central heating systems.
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The 5 most common causes of reported house fires
Canva
- Percent of total house fires caused by cooking: 49%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 20% (#2 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 42% (#1 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 16% (#2 leading cause)
Even though most cooking-related fires are minor, an average of 470 were reported daily in 2018. The number of reported cooking fires peaks, perhaps unsurprisingly, during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. More alarming still is that there were more cooking fire-related deaths in 2014-2018 than there were 30 years prior, despite advancements in electric and gas ranges and other cooking appliances during the intervening years. Commonly, people are napping or engaged in other activities when the fires start.
For proper risk prevention, avoiding food unsupervised on the stove, in the oven, or in other cooking appliances such as an air fryer or convection oven is crucial. Be aware that households with electrical ranges are at higher risk than those with gas ranges.
This story originally appeared on Westfield and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Canva
- Percent of total house fires caused by cooking: 49%
- Percent of total house fire deaths: 20% (#2 leading cause)
- Percent of total house fire injuries: 42% (#1 leading cause)
- Percent of total direct house fire property damage: 16% (#2 leading cause)
Even though most cooking-related fires are minor, an average of 470 were reported daily in 2018. The number of reported cooking fires peaks, perhaps unsurprisingly, during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. More alarming still is that there were more cooking fire-related deaths in 2014-2018 than there were 30 years prior, despite advancements in electric and gas ranges and other cooking appliances during the intervening years. Commonly, people are napping or engaged in other activities when the fires start.
For proper risk prevention, avoiding food unsupervised on the stove, in the oven, or in other cooking appliances such as an air fryer or convection oven is crucial. Be aware that households with electrical ranges are at higher risk than those with gas ranges.
This story originally appeared on Westfield and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
