Tag: Childhood Asthma

  • Electric Cars May Help Prevent Childhood Asthma: Study Report

    Electric Cars May Help Prevent Childhood Asthma: Study Report

    Key Takeaways

    1. Increasing electric vehicles (EVs) can reduce childhood asthma cases linked to vehicle emissions.
    2. For every 1,000 new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles sold, a new childhood asthma case is recorded.
    3. Replacing 21% of new fossil-fueled vehicles with EVs could stop the rise in asthma rates.
    4. The needed replacement percentages of ICE vehicles vary by state, from 7% to 42%, based on population and vehicle age.
    5. EVs are already improving public health in states with zero-emission vehicle initiatives, but affordability for lower-income families is crucial.

    A US research has discovered that increasing the number of electric vehicles on the streets can lower the chances of childhood asthma. The findings came after looking at data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gathered between 2013 and 2019.

    New Case Rates

    Harshit Gujrat, Meredith Franklin, and Steve Easterbrook observed that for every 1,000 new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles sold, a new childhood asthma case was recorded. They stated that just replacing 21 percent of new fossil-fueled vehicles with EVs could be “enough to stop the rise in asthma rates linked to new vehicle sales.”

    State-by-State Analysis

    The report highlights that the replacement percentages differ across states. Depending on how many people live there and how many vehicles are already on the road, some states might only need to replace 7 percent of their new ICE cars, while others could need up to 42 percent. This shows that densely populated states with older gas vehicles will gain the most from switching to electric cars.

    Public Health Benefits

    At the same time, the research indicates that EVs are already benefiting public health in the US. States that have zero-emission vehicle initiatives are seeing the bulk of these health improvements.

    The study urges that lawmakers should find methods to make EVs more affordable for lower-income families. Nonetheless, it warns that electric cars aren’t the only way to enhance children’s health.

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  • Gas Stoves Linked to 40,000 Deaths and Childhood Asthma Cases

    Gas Stoves Linked to 40,000 Deaths and Childhood Asthma Cases

    According to a new study, gas stoves are responsible for approximately 40,000 early deaths each year, with many more cases possibly going unreported. The main concern isn’t the risk of explosions but the harmful effects of pollutants released during indoor gas cooking.

    Research Overview

    The study conducted by Jaume I University in Spain includes data from EU nations as well as the UK. A significant worry is the incidence of childhood asthma, which amounts to hundreds of thousands of cases. It’s estimated that about a third of homes in Europe rely on gas stoves for their cooking needs. The harmful emissions, including particulate matter and the irritating gas nitrogen dioxide produced during combustion, pose serious health risks.

    Health Impacts

    This type of pollution can shorten life expectancy by an average of two years, often leading to early heart and lung diseases. Additionally, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide contribute to climate change. Consequently, places like New York are set to outlaw gas stoves in new constructions starting in 2024.

    Popularity of Gas Stoves

    Nevertheless, gas stoves remain quite popular; in Austria, for instance, about 25% of homes use gas for cooking, while in countries such as the UK, Romania, Poland, and Italy, the percentage is over 50%. Several factors contribute to this popularity. In areas with regular power outages or for individuals living off the grid, gas cooking offers greater independence from electricity providers. Additionally, gas cooking is often seen as quick, convenient, and, in some parts of Europe, more affordable.

    The study was backed by the non-profit European Climate Foundation and coordinated by the European Public Health Alliance. Still, another study from May 2023 indicates that over 12% of childhood asthma cases in the US can be traced back to gas stove usage.

    Recommendations for Change

    Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit, the main author of the study, suggests improving ventilation and, whenever possible, switching from gas to electric stoves. She also points out that the actual number of deaths may be underestimated, since the study did not consider various other harmful substances emitted during gas cooking. In fact, Sara Bertucci from the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) likens the risks of gas stoves to those of cigarettes:

    For a long time, people overlooked the dangers of gas stoves. Similar to cigarettes, the health effects were often ignored – and like cigarettes, gas stoves are a small flame that fills our houses with toxic fumes.

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