Study: Children Are At More High Risk Of Cancer Due To Effects From Gas Stoves

JAKARTA - Gas stoves are kitchen utensils that are very important for cooking and used by most people. However, although very useful, gas stoves can also have a bad impact such as triggering cancer.

This was revealed through a recent study published in Science Alert, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. It was stated that a gas stove at home could release toxic chemicals at the cancer-causing rate.

The researchers led by a team from Stanford University measured the level of benzene emissions from gas stoves in 87 houses. They also analyzed gas movement in a number of smaller locations, and run computer models on how benzene can spread.

For homes with gas stoves that emit the most benzene and have little ventilation, the risk of cancer increases significantly. The risk of cancer is also higher in children, 1.85 times higher than for adults.

"Natural gas and stoves issue benzene, carcinogens known through combustion," the researchers wrote in the study.

The biggest risk of cancer due to benzene from gas stoves can occur in apartments or small houses. This allows benzene to cover various rooms easily, such as the bedroom where a person spends most of their time.

The exposure of benzene from gas stoves in the worst bedroom, as the risk of life cancer is 1.92 - 12.03 in one million children. Meanwhile, adults are lower, which is 0.94 - 5.89 in one million adults.

"These values can vary depending on the size of the house, the weather conditions, the use of hoods, ventilation in the house, and other housing factors," he said.

"Frequencies and use of ovens and incendiaries, and variations of metabolic and other physiological characteristics," he added.

Therefore, researchers recommend that houses have adequate air ventilation for the issuance of harmful materials from gas stoves. This includes the frequency of use of daily gas stoves in the house.

The study underscores the importance of dealing with indoor aerial pollutants related to arson to protect public health, especially in households with limited ventilation, "concluded the researcher.