Natural gas stoves emit methane and nitrogen oxides in homes

Natural gas stoves, widely used for cooking, release methane and other pollutants into household air. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate warming even over short periods. Although this fuel is cleaner than wood or coal, its combustion and associated leaks generate emissions that are harmful to the environment and indoor air quality.

A recent study measured emissions of methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides from cooktops in 35 homes in Santiago, Chile, and 23 in Bogotá, Colombia. Both countries have seen an increase in the use of natural gas over the past few decades. The researchers assessed continuous methane leaks when the stove is off, emissions related to ignition, and those produced during combustion. To do this, they used a mass balance method that accounts for air renewal in rooms and gas concentrations.

The results show that the average methane emission rate during cooking reaches 410 milligrams per hour. These real-world measurements provide rare data on emissions from household appliances and help refine the emission factors used to establish greenhouse gas inventories. Methane leaks, even outside of usage periods, represent an often underestimated source of pollution. Nitrogen oxides, on the other hand, are gases that contribute to smog formation and can worsen respiratory problems. This study highlights the environmental and health impact of everyday activities such as meal preparation.

Credits

Source Study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-8355-2026

Title: Measurement Report: Methane and NO

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emissions from natural gas cooking stoves, the case of Chile and Colombia

Journal: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

Publisher: Copernicus GmbH

Authors: Ricardo Morales-Betancourt; Cristóbal J. Galbán-Malagón; Thalia Montejo-Barato; Estela Blanco; Paula Tapia-Pino; Rosario Vargas; Cynthia Cordova; Colin Finnegan; Abenezer Shankute; Nicolas Huneeus; J. Sebastian Hernandez-Suarez; Paola Valencia; Marcelo Mena-Carrasco; Robert B. Jackson