From gas stoves to cleaning products, the household environment contains hidden risks that disproportionately affect women's health. These everyday activities, including cooking and cleaning, can expose women to pollutants and chemicals with significant health consequences. Here's what you need to know and how to mitigate the risks.
Why Women Are More at Risk
Women tend to spend more time cooking and cleaning than men, increasing their exposure to potential hazards. According to a Cookpad/Gallup survey, women globally cook an average of 8.7 meals per week compared to men’s 4.
Similarly, women spend more time on household chores, with American women devoting nearly 4.5 hours a day to tasks like cleaning—almost double the time men spend, per data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
This disparity in exposure contributes to a greater risk of health issues like asthma and respiratory problems.
The Health Risks of Gas Stoves
Gas stoves are a common source of indoor air pollution. They emit nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to respiratory diseases, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory conditions.
A 2023 study estimated that gas stoves are responsible for 13% of childhood asthma cases in the U.S., and girls in particular face a higher risk when exposed. In adults, long-term exposure to pollutants like benzene—a carcinogen that gas stoves can emit even when turned off—has been linked to cancer and other serious conditions.
Mitigation Tips:
- Use proper ventilation, such as turning on the stove’s hood or opening windows, to reduce pollutant levels.
- Consider using an air purifier in the kitchen.
- When replacing or renovating, opt for an electric or induction stove.
Cleaning Products: Hidden Hazards
Many cleaning products contain chemicals that can irritate the nose, throat, and skin, or worsen respiratory conditions like asthma. Ingredients like quaternary ammonium compounds and limonene, often found in all-purpose cleaners and citrus-scented products, are common culprits.
Mixing certain cleaning products, such as hydrogen peroxide with peracetic acid, can also release harmful gases, further increasing the risk.
Mitigation Tips:
- Wear gloves and consider a mask when using cleaning products, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions.
- Opt for fragrance-free products certified by Safer Choice, Green Seal, or EcoLogo.
- Use natural alternatives like baking soda and vinegar.
- Avoid mixing cleaning products and always follow the instructions on labels.
How to Make Your Environment Safer
While eliminating all risks may not be possible, you can take steps to minimize exposure:
- Upgrade Appliances: If feasible, replace gas stoves with electric or induction models.
- Enhance Ventilation: Use range hoods, open windows, and run air purifiers to improve indoor air quality.
- Choose Safer Products: Look for eco-friendly and certified cleaning options, or make your own with simple, non-toxic ingredients.
- Practice Safe Habits: Use protective gear like gloves and masks during cleaning, and be mindful of product labels and warnings.
Awareness Is Key
Experts emphasize that while these risks shouldn’t incite panic, understanding how your home environment affects your health is crucial. By taking practical steps to reduce exposure, women—and everyone else—can create a safer, healthier living space.
“It’s important to at least have a sense of how exposures in your home may be impacting you,” says Dr. Mary Margaret Johnson from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
