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Home , Gas heater

HOME GAS APPLIANCES

AND YOUR HEALTH

FACT SHEET

Although is often seen as a ‘clean’ fuel, this is a myth. All gas-burning appliances produce pollutants. These can reduce , especially if the appliance is faulty, poorly maintained, or there is inadequate ventilation.

They can also cause or exacerbate illnesses. Because of vague nature of these symptoms, it is difficult What pollutants will you be confusion, shortness of breath to know how often longer-term, exposed to? and chest pain. Within minutes, lower-level exposure to carbon it can lead to suffocation and monoxide occurs. However, 1-3 Gas appliances produce a death. there is some evidence to complex range of pollutants, Between 2011 and 2016, there suggest this may be relatively some of which are: were fifteen confirmed fatalities common and responsible for • from carbon monoxide significant illness. 4 poisoning in Australia ; For example, in two studies • nitrogen dioxide (NO2) however, this is likely to be an that tested for carbon • fine particles (PM2.5, along underestimate of the actual monoxide exposure in those 1 with ultrafine particles) number of deaths. For presenting with headache to instance, carbon monoxide • volatile organic emergency departments, poisoning may not be compounds, including dangerous blood levels were suspected in elderly people 5 formaldehyde found in 31 of 483 (6.4%) and with other medical conditions 7 of 37 (18.9%) people.6 • polycyclic aromatic who are assumed to have died hydrocarbons. of natural causes. In a different study, definite carbon monoxide poisoning Longer term exposure to lower was found in 3 of 29 individuals What are the health levels of carbon monoxide can (10.3%) admitted to hospital impacts of indoor gas use? cause with reduced consciousness • flu-like symptoms, but no indication of the cause.7 Carbon monoxide poisoning including headache, Importantly, because the This is the most serious fatigue, feeling generally unwell, nausea and symptoms of long-term, low complication of burning gas level carbon monoxide indoors. vomiting. • sleep disturbances and exposure are poorly Carbon monoxide is a impaired memory and recognised, there is risk of tasteless, colourless and concentration. those affected returning to 3 odourless gas. When inhaled, it • permanent brain and nerve potentially fatal environments. replaces oxygen in the blood damage, even at stream. levels too low to be Exposure to high levels of detected by carbon 1,2 carbon monoxide can cause monoxide alarms. fatigue, headaches, nausea, Healthy planet, healthy people ww.dea.org.au

Other health impacts Rangehoods are often noisy Thermal burns from contact and are consequently not used Studies have shown with glass doors of gas as often as they should be. In a associations of indoor gas are also relatively survey of 3200 people from usage with: common, particularly in Melbourne, 44% of those with children.8-11 range hoods reported not • increased asthma in using them regularly.32 children living in homes with gas cooking Young children most at risk Increasing the thermal 13-15 efficiency of buildings (such appliances. One Young children are at particular estimate is that 12% of as through blocking drafts) can risk because their bodies are result in inadequate entry of childhood asthma in still developing and they spend fresh air for the safe operation Australia is due to the use long periods of time at home. 16 of gas appliances.33 of gas stoves for cooking. Other sensitive groups include • increased cough and the elderly, smokers and those There is particular risk with use wheeze in children are with pre-existing heart or lung of unflued and open flued gas exposed to open flued gas conditions. heaters as these require plenty space heaters in of fresh air to operate 17 classrooms. Removal of reasonably safely. The such heaters from How to reduce the risks Victorian State Government classrooms has been Gas heating should be has described these heaters as shown to reduce both serviced and carbon being incompatible with children’s asthma monoxide leakage tests modern, energy efficient symptoms and school 33-35 conducted at a minimum of houses. absences.18 two yearly by a licensed gas reduced lung function in • fitter. children living in homes The need for reform with gas cooking Carbon monoxide alarms are Even with appropriate 19 appliances. recommended, although they education of consumers, the • increased hospitalisations should only be a back-up to risks associated with indoor for acute respiratory tract proper use and maintenance of gas use cannot be eliminated. infections in young gas appliances. children living in homes Gas is also now a costly Exhaust ventilation should energy source in Australia. with flued or unflued gas always be used with gas heaters.20 Recent modelling suggests appliances, especially with gas that for many Australian • slower brain and stoves. behaviour development in homes, it would be cheaper children living in homes over 10 years to switch from gas to efficient electric with gas cooking Associated issues 43 appliances.21,22 appliances. Of concern, those in lower increased allergic • socioeconomic groups are The extraction and burning of inflammation of the nose less likely to have enough gas also contribute to in adults and children from income to ensure their gas greenhouse gas emissions and homes with gas cooking appliances are serviced as therefore climate change appliances.23 recommended or to replace This is well recognised as a increased asthma-like • ageing and risky appliances. major threat to human health44. symptoms and reduced lung function in women Renters may be less likely to For these reasons, Doctors for using mainly gas for report problems to landlords the Environment Australia cooking.12 because of fears of having their supports the gradual phase- rent increased31. Renters are out of gas burning appliances Explosions, fires and thermal also less likely to know what in homes. Homeowners must burns can result from gas type of gas heater is installed be supported in the transition leakage from faulty or and whether it has recently towards safer, non-polluting improperly used appliances. been serviced. electrical alternatives. ww.dea.org.au Doctors for the Environment Australia Recommendations 1. Increased public education about the risks of indoor gas appliances, including the importance of regular servicing and adequate ventilation.

2. Provision of incentives for households to transition away from the use of gas to energy efficient electrical appliances, with particular support offered to low-income households as well as landlords.

3. Reforms to building regulations to mandate installation of non-gas heating and cooking appliances in all new homes.

4. Reforms to building regulations and local planning rules to stop the automatic connection of all new suburbs and homes to gas.

5. Consideration of the eventual withdrawal of indoor gas usage altogether.

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ww.dea.org.au 19. Moshammer H, Fletcher T, Heinrich J, Hoek G, Hruba F, 1999;29(11):1481-9, viewed 14 Jan 2020, Pattenden S, et al. Gas cooking is associated with small . reductions in lung function in children. Eur Respir J 2010;36(2):249-54, viewed 14 Jan 2020, 33. State Government of Victoria, Victorian government . response to the Coroner's Court inquest into the death of Sonia Sofianopoulos. Victoria State Government, 2018, 20. Tin Tin S, Woodward A, Saraf R, Berry S, Atatoa Carr P, viewed 14 Jan 2020, Morton SM, et al. Internal living environment and respiratory

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