Common Appliance Raises Kids’ Cancer Risk Nearly Twice as Much as Adults’ — and It’s in 2 Out of 5 US Homes

. . .Benzene, a harmful chemical found in gasoline, cigarette smoke and paint strippers, is a known carcinogen. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene has been linked to leukemia and other blood-related cancers.

Now, a new study out of Stanford University reports that benzene-caused cancer risks are significantly higher — especially for children — in homes with medium to high usage of gas stoves and inadequate ventilation.

“Natural gas and propane stoves emit benzene, a known carcinogen through combustion,” the researchers explained in the forthcoming July issue of the Journal of Hazardous Materials.

“To our knowledge, ours is the first study to assess the carcinogenic health risks from benzene formed during gas combustion from stoves, as well as leukemia cases attributable to gas stove use.”

For the study, researchers simulated different cooking scenarios involving varying burner intensities and oven temperatures with minimal or no ventilation. (Read more from “Common Appliance Raises Kids’ Cancer Risk Nearly Twice as Much as Adults’ — and It’s in 2 Out of 5 US Homes” HERE)