Schakowsky, Tonko Seek Answers from CPSC and EPA on Dangers of Gas Stoves
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote to the Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the health and safety risks gas stoves pose to consumers. The Subcommittee leaders requested a briefing from the agencies on their efforts to curb harmful emissions from gas stoves.
“When used without proper ventilation, gas stoves can emit dangerous levels of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Prolonged exposure to these pollutants contributes to various adverse health conditions,” wrote the lawmakers. “Unfortunately, these health risks are disproportionately borne by underserved members of our communities, including Black and Latinx families, children, and low-income households.”
The Consumer Product Safety Act grants the CPSC power to regulate products that pose a serious threat to consumers. Meanwhile, the EPA has the wherewithal to assess the health effects of gas stove emissions and potential solutions. With both agencies working together, this issue can be tackled head on.
“We are encouraged that you are already working together on this issue through a joint taskforce aimed at developing a voluntary standard to have a standardized and repeatable way to test gas stove emissions,” continued the lawmakers. “We also recognize that to continue this work your agencies need additional funding and support.”
The CPSC is also seeking public input on the hazards associated with gas stoves in the form of a Request for Information (RFI).
“We urge the CPSC to work expeditiously in developing, issuing, and ultimately acting in response to the RFI,” concluded the lawmakers. “Throughout this process, we strongly encourage the Commission to leverage the technical proficiency and experience the EPA has in studying the health effects of indoor air pollution.”
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