CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom has until September 30 to sign Assembly Bill 2513 – Gas stoves and ranges – warning label, into law.
The law would prohibit a person from selling a gas stove in California that is manufactured or sold online unless the stove bears a warning statement related to air pollutants that can be released by gas stoves.
70% of Californians have a natural gas cooking appliance
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 70% of Californians have a natural gas cooking appliance.
The proposed law says manufacturers will be required to place a warning label on the stove in a position that is easily read.
The label must read:
“WARNING: Gas stoves can release nitrogen dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other harmful pollutants into the air, which can be toxic to people and pets. Stove emissions, especially from gas stoves, are associated with increased respiratory disease. Young children, people with asthma, and people with heart or lung disease are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of combustion pollutants. To help reduce the risk of breathing harmful gases, allow ventilation in the area and turn on a vent hood when gas-powered stoves and ranges are in use,” reads the warning label in the bill.
Manufacturers would have until January 1, 2025 for online sales and January 1, 2026 for in store sales to comply with the law.
All forms of cooking emit pollutants
According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) AB 2513 is grounded in misinformation.
“AB 2513 does not provide accurate information about gas cooking and is solely focused on gas cooking, while it is known that all forms of cooking emit pollutants,” reads a statement on the AHAM website.
They go on to say that we must agree to focus this conversation on ventilation regardless of heat source.