Key facts
- A US study found replacing gas stoves with electric ones led to a 70% drop in hospital admissions for people with poorly controlled asthma.
- The study, initiated in December 2024, was designed to assess asthma improvement in 1,200 households near Cleveland, Ohio.
- Funding for the study was terminated early by the incoming Trump administration.
- In a scaled-down study of 72 homes, asthma symptom scores improved significantly, with fewer hospital visits and days off work/school.
- Nitrogen dioxide levels in homes with replaced stoves dropped by an average of 70%.
- Over 97% of participants expressed satisfaction with their new electric stoves.
A study initiated by Ohio's MetroHealth aimed to investigate the health benefits of replacing gas stoves with electric ones for individuals with poorly controlled asthma. The project, which began in December 2024, was designed to include 1,200 households near Cleveland. However, funding was terminated early by the incoming Trump administration, resulting in the project's scaling down to fewer than 100 households and the layoff of approximately 20 staff members.
Despite the early termination, researchers observed significant positive outcomes in the completed portion of the study. Analysis of data from 72 homes revealed a 70% drop in hospital admissions and fewer days missed from work or school due to asthma flare-ups. Participants' average asthma symptom scores improved from 2.6 to 1.5 on a recognized scale, indicating a substantial clinical improvement. Air pollution measurements in 44 homes showed an average 70% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels after the stove replacement.
Researchers expressed surprise at the large effect size, noting that the improvements in asthma control were comparable to or greater than those seen with common asthma medications and significantly exceeded placebo effects. Participant satisfaction with the new electric stoves was very high, with over 97% expressing satisfaction or strong satisfaction. Experts not involved in the study noted that it adds to growing evidence on the health benefits of reducing indoor air pollution, suggesting that indoor air quality should be a consideration in housing improvements alongside energy efficiency and decarbonization.