The Biden administration is considering a ban on gas stoves over concerns about health and respiratory issues, according to a report.
Bloomberg reported the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is planning to take action to address what they say are harmful air pollutants that are emitted by the stoves indoors.
“This is a hidden hazard,” Richard Trumka Jr., a commissioner for the agency, told the outlet.
He added, “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”
Bloomberg noted roughly 40% of homes in the United States use the stoves.
They reportedly emit pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and other fine particulate matter at levels declared unsafe by the EPA and World Health Organization.
The organizations have claimed the pollutants are connected to respiratory illness, cardiovascular issues, cancer, and other conditions, citing reports from the Institute for Policy Integrity and the American Chemical Society.
“There is about 50 years of health studies showing that gas stoves are bad for our health, and the strongest evidence is on children and children’s asthma,” Brady Seals, a manager at the nonprofit clean energy group RMI, explained to Bloomberg.
He continued, “By having a gas connection, we are polluting the insides of our homes.”
The outlet pointed out consumers seeking to make the switch from gas to electric could receive assistance from the Inflation Reduction Act Biden signed into law over the summer.
Jill Notini, a vice president with the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, said the issue of ventilation is “really where this discussion should be, rather than banning one particular type of technology.”
She added, “Banning one type of a cooking appliance is not going to address the concerns about overall indoor air quality. We may need some behavior change, we may need [people] to turn their hoods when cooking.”
Karen Harbert, president of the American Gas Association, suggested the most “practical, realistic way to achieve a sustainable future where energy is clean, as well as safe, reliable and affordable, is to ensure it includes natural gas and the infrastructure that transports it,” Bloomberg reported.
The report of the possible ban sparked frustrated reactions on Twitter.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tweeted, “The Biden Administration is once again going to extreme lengths to appease Green New Deal fanatics – they’re considering a national ban on gas stoves.”
The Biden Administration is once again going to extreme lengths to appease Green New Deal fanatics – they’re considering a national ban on gas stoves.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 9, 2023
https://t.co/9PK2u2ltQA
One user wrote, “This is bullsh*t. Code requires fans to exhaust these so called pollutants. Follow code FFS.”
US Safety Agency to Consider Ban on Gas Stoves Amid Health Fears – Bloomberg
— * W. Brett Wilson * (@WBrettWilson) January 9, 2023
This is bullshit.
Code requires fans to exhaust these so called pollutants. Follow code FFS
https://t.co/gkYrIFybVk
Radio host Erick Erickson declared this is “such a bad policy direction. In places with bad storms and power outages, gas stoves are a literal lifesaver.”
This is such a bad policy direction. In places with bad storms and power outages, gas stoves are a literal lifesaver. https://t.co/cjjQlHNAUn
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) January 9, 2023
Check out more responses below:
Time to fight to save gas stoves. Our government is trying to ban them. 🔥🔥 https://t.co/MgGZnW34JL
— Carla Sands (@CarlaHSands) January 9, 2023
Gas > electric stoves.
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) January 9, 2023
Of course, this falls in line with the preservationist environmentalism espoused by the Biden administration.
Just yesterday, President Biden went full solar panel salesman pitching rooftop solar “deals.”
Moronic to even propose this. https://t.co/xxTA3s1xIR
Not a fan of gas stoves myself but this is gonna make people mad lol. https://t.co/0u8lIf2XtK
— Robert VerBruggen (@RAVerBruggen) January 9, 2023
Our government is thinking about banning gas stoves. Think real hard before you give these people more power.
— JIA (@JeremyinAkron) January 9, 2023
So now we’re gonna have to eat cold bugs? Will not give up cooking on natural gas… https://t.co/gpvKpzHX9B
— TVG (@TheVirginiaGen1) January 9, 2023
Bloomberg’s report also noted some lawmakers have urged the commission to consider mandating warning labels and performance standards.