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On May 8, APGA submitted comments in response to the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (CPSC) request for information (RFI) pertaining to potential chronic chemical hazards associated with gas-fired cooking products, as well as any proposed solutions to any identified hazards.

Through the comments, APGA explained that the existing body of scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the use of gas cooking products results in any chronic chemical health hazards.  Accordingly, no solutions need be adopted to address the concerns, so CPSC need not take any regulatory action.  However, APGA’s comments also noted that all cooking processes result in emissions and that the best way to minimize exposure to these emissions, whether cooking with an electric stove or a gas-fired range, is through the use of effective ventilation systems.

Although not appliance manufacturers, APGA’s members provide the energy needed to fuel the gas cooking products that their customers use to prepare meals.  Public gas systems are often the first point of contact for their customers who may have heard about concerns related to emissions from gas cooking products.  To help educate the public, APGA and its members are focused on sharing objective, technical information on the safety of gas cooking as well as ways to reduce cooking emissions in the indoor environment.  APGA also engages in the development of building codes and standards that impact the safe use of gas appliances, including gas cooking products, in homes and businesses.

Because of the misleading messaging prevalent in the media regarding the safe use of gas cooking appliances, APGA encouraged CPSC to use this as an opportunity to more accurately communicate and educate the public on the issue.  Furthermore, APGA urged CPSC to continue working with independent code and standard development bodies to help ensure the continual improvement of any codes/standards that may impact these products.  APGA’s comment letter also supported the significant number of studies submitted by other trade associations, such as the American Gas Association and the National Propane Gas Association.

A copy of the comments is available here.

For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-802-0493 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org.