来源：《时代周刊》2023年1月30日刊
Federal regulators are considering a ban on gas stoves—present in roughly one-third of U.S. homes—amid rising concern about increased risk of asthma in children and other respiratory-health risks linked to indoor air pollution from the appliances. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which can issue mandatory standards or ban products if no feasible change would adequately protect the public, says it is still figuring out the best way to tackle this issue. Richard Trumka Jr., a CPSC commissioner, tweeted that “gas stoves can emit dangerous levels of toxic chemicals—even when not in use” and that his agency will consider “all approaches to regulation.”
美国联邦监管机构正在考虑禁止使用燃气灶。目前，人们越来越担心燃气灶造成的室内空气污染会增加儿童患哮喘的风险，以及其他呼吸系统健康风险。美国约有三分之一的家庭使用燃气灶。美国消费品安全委员会(CPSC)表示，其仍在寻找解决这一问题的最佳方法。如果产品没有可行的改变能够充分保护公众，该委员会可以发布强制性标准或禁止该产品。消费品安全委员会委员小理查德·特鲁姆卡在推特上表示，“燃气灶即使不使用也会释放出危险的有毒化学物质”，其所在机构将考虑“所有的监管方法”。
The news has generated its own heat, but CPSC says any action would involve a lengthy process, meaning there are no imminent policy changes. Trumka clarified the agency cannot physically remove gas stoves from homes—but instead can require new products to comply with its regulations. This could include requiring new homes be built with electric stoves or high-efficiency exhaust vents.
这一消息本身也引起了热议，但美国消费品安全委员会表示，任何行动都将涉及一个漫长的过程，这意味着政策不会立即改变。特拉姆卡澄清说，该机构不能从家中拆除燃气灶，但可以要求新产品符合其规定。这可能包括要求新建房屋配备电炉或高效排气口。
The debate over gas cooking’s health hazards began nearly 50 years ago when researchers in England and Scotland surveyed the parents of more than 5,000 children and found a positive correlation between gas cooking and asthma symptoms. But a slew of new studies have spurred fresh concerns. Researchers have found that gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide and other tiny airborne particles known as PM2.5, both of which are lung irritants and have been linked with childhood asthma. A study found more than 12% of current childhood asthma cases in the U.S. can be linked to gas-stove use. Certain populations, such as children or people who already have asthma, are more susceptible, says Brady Seals, a co-author of the study.
关于燃气烹饪对健康危害的争论始于近50年前，当时英格兰和苏格兰的研究人员调查了5000多名儿童的父母，发现燃气烹饪与哮喘症状之间存在正相关。但一系列新研究引发了新的担忧。研究人员发现，燃气灶会释放二氧化氮和其他被称为PM2.5的微小颗粒，这两种物质都是肺部刺激物，与儿童哮喘有关。一项研究发现，美国目前超过12%的儿童哮喘病例与使用燃气炉有关。该研究的合著者布雷迪·希尔斯说，某些人群，如儿童或已经患有哮喘的人，更容易受到影响。
A simple safety measure people can take is to use a high-efficiency range hood that carries air contaminants outside rather than recirculating them indoors. Those without an exhaust hood should open their windows during and after cooking, recommends the National Asthma Council. But even that may not fully resolve the health risks. Another study found gas stoves can leak low levels of methane and benzene even when not in use. Some households may want to consider using air purifiers in their kitchen to improve air quality, though filters must be replaced often. Others may decide to purchase a single-burner, plug-in induction cooktop for as little as $60, which can be particularly cost-effective for renters. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, anyone looking to swap a gas stove for electric can receive a tax rebate of up to $840.
人们可以采取的一个简单的安全措施是使用高效抽油烟机，将空气污染物带到室外，而不是在室内循环。美国哮喘委员会建议，那些没有排气罩的家庭应该在做饭期间和之后打开窗户。但即使这样也不能完全解决健康风险。另一项研究发现，燃气灶即使不使用也会泄漏少量的甲烷和苯。一些家庭可能会考虑在厨房中使用空气净化器来改善空气质量，但滤芯必须经常更换。另一些人可能会决定以最低60美元的价格购买一个单炉、插电式电磁炉灶台，这对租房者来说尤其划算。根据《通货膨胀减少法案》，任何想把煤气炉换成电炉的人都可以获得高达840美元的退税。
Beyond the health reasons, switching to electric induction cooking “is an important climate step . . . and there are potentially also cooking benefits that allow you to actually cook faster,” says Jonathan Levy, chair of Boston University’s Department of Environmental Health.
除了健康方面的原因，改用电磁法烹饪“也是一个重要的气候保护措施……而且它对烹饪也有潜在的好处，可以让你烹饪得更快，”波士顿大学环境健康系主任乔纳森·列维说。