Tag Archives: gas stoves

Consumer and environmental watchdog groups want health warning labels on new gas stoves

Blue-flames-gas-stove

Important Takeaways:

  • Gas stoves may soon come with a tobacco-style health warning label in California
  • Because a stove’s blue flame releases air pollution into your kitchen, California lawmakers have passed a bill that would require such warning labels on gas stoves for sale in stores and online. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until the end of September to sign the bill into law.
  • The legislation comes after a series of lawsuits was filed against stove manufacturers, claiming they should have warned customers about potential health risks.
  • Environmental activists are encouraging people to switch to electric stoves, part of a broader campaign to cut climate pollution from buildings
  • If Pellerin’s legislation becomes law, it will require a label on gas stoves for sale in stores and online that says, “Gas stoves can release nitrogen dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other harmful pollutants into the air, which can be toxic to people and pets.” The label would also mention associated risks for breathing problems, suggest using a vent hood and say, “Young children, people with asthma, and people with heart or lung disease are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of combustion pollutants.”
  • Similar bills were introduced in Illinois and New York, but unlike California’s version, lawmakers did not pass them out of the legislature.

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It’s lights out for incandescent bulbs

Incandescent Lightbulbs

Important Takeaways:

  • While everyone was yelling about gas stoves, the incandescent light bulb went away
  • The quiet phaseout of household incandescents showcases the power of government regulations to push changes in the marketplace.
  • The modern descendant of Thomas Edison’s most famous legacy is set to formally meet its demise in the U.S. at the end of this month
  • As of Aug. 1, the Energy Department will fully enforce new efficiency regulations that the old bulbs can’t meet, effectively prohibiting their retail sale.
  • The rules offer some exceptions, including for microwave lights, allowing some incandescent bulbs to stay on the shelves.
  • DOE said it intends to seek the maximum civil penalty against manufacturers that knowingly distribute products that violate the standards.
  • The department has previously issued civil penalties worth tens of thousands of dollars for companies violating its energy conservation standards.
  • “These debates over lightbulbs or stoves are going to continue as change to the energy economy”

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