Mounting evidence indicates that gas stoves, prevalent in nearly 40% of U.S. homes, pose serious health risks, prompting Colorado to implement a first-of-its-kind law requiring health warning labels on these appliances. The yellow labels aim to inform consumers about the dangers associated with gas stoves, which emit harmful substances such as carbon monoxide and benzene, increasing health risks including asthma and cancer, particularly in children. Despite pushback from manufacturers, Colorado’s legislation is seen as an important step for public safety and consumer awareness.
Gas stoves sold in Colorado will now feature yellow health-warning labels under a groundbreaking law that took effect earlier this month. State Senator Cathy Kipp, a Democrat who co-sponsored the legislation, emphasized the necessity of warning consumers about the potential health impacts linked to poor indoor air quality. Like other gas-fueled appliances, gas stoves release noxious compounds such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Remarkably, even when off, they emit benzene—an acknowledged carcinogen found in cigarette smoke. The risks associated with gas ranges provoke concerns, particularly given that children in homes with gas stoves have an estimated 42% greater chance of developing asthma.
Public advocate Kirsten Schatz of the CoPIRG Foundation noted that critical information on gas stove health risks has historically failed to reach consumers prior to purchase. Investigations have revealed that fossil-fuel companies have long attempted to dispute evidence indicating gas stoves are harmful, presenting industry-backed research and employing scientists to undermine these claims. The gas-stove market in the U.S. was estimated to be worth $3.8 billion in 2024, yet many retail employees are reportedly unaware of the health hazards associated with gas stoves, as per a survey from U.S. PIRG.
The manufacturers of gas stoves are contesting the new regulations, seeking a freeze on the enforcement of the law through a federal district court in Colorado. Though typically violations may incur substantial fines, the state attorney general has agreed to postpone enforcement until the court’s ruling. Other states like Massachusetts and New York may soon follow Colorado’s lead, but attempts in states like Illinois and California have faltered in the past.
Per the new Colorado law, the warning labels on gas stoves must include the message, “Understand the air quality implications of having an indoor gas stove,” accompanied by a QR code or URL pointing to a state-maintained webpage housing credible, evidence-backed information about gas stove health impacts. Kipp highlighted the effort to streamline compliance for manufacturers, even as they resist the implementation of these informative labels.
In a lawsuit initiated on August 5, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers argues that Colorado is requiring its members to promote a warning label that refers consumers to “non-consensus, scientifically controversial, and factually misleading” information, constituting a violation of the First Amendment regarding compelled speech. Kipp denounces the lawsuit as frivolous and reaffirms the legislature’s authority to enact consumer protection laws. While appliance manufacturers continue to challenge the established science regarding gas stove pollution, several reputable nonprofit organizations, such as the American Public Health Association and the American Lung Association, support the warning labels idea, citing a compelling body of peer-reviewed research.
The lawsuit aims for a hearing in early November, during which the parties have agreed to a deposition of witnesses that appliance manufacturers plan to rely upon for their defense. This litigation is poised to transform into a comprehensive assessment of the scientific debate surrounding the health impacts of gas stoves. Scarr remains optimistic that, based on the substantial research available, the state will prevail in this legal challenge.
https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/fossil-fuels/colorado-gas-stove-health-warning-labels