Electric Stove Replacements Cut Asthma Hospitalizations by 70% in Ohio Study

A pilot investigation in the Cleveland-area found that swapping gas stoves for electric models produced a 70 % reduction in asthma-related hospital admissions and days missed from work or school. Participants also reported fewer nighttime awakenings, less wheezing and reduced reliance on rescue inhalers.

The Guardian

MetroHealth of Ohio launched the study in December 2024 to assess indoor-air interventions for 1,200 households near Cleveland. Funding was terminated early by the incoming Trump administration, leaving the trial with data from only 72 homes—fewer than 100 households completed. Prof Ash Sehgal of Case Western Reserve University noted that the abrupt stop forced the layoff of about 20 project staff and left more than 1,100 households without the intended benefit.

The Guardian

• Asthma control scores fell from an average of 2.6 to 1.5 on a six-point scale; a 0.5 shift is deemed clinically significant.

The Guardian

• Measured nitrogen-dioxide levels in 44 homes dropped by roughly 70 %.

The Guardian

• Over 97 % of participants expressed satisfaction or strong satisfaction with the new electric stoves.

The Guardian

Dr Tiffany Yang, a researcher at NHS Born in Bradford, said the Ohio results reinforce growing evidence that reducing indoor air pollution yields meaningful health benefits for asthma sufferers and should be integrated into housing-stock upgrades alongside energy-efficiency goals.

The Guardian

• “We had completed the project at fewer than 100 households. As a result, over 1,100 households were unable to benefit. We also had to lay off about 20 project staff.” — Ohio. Prof Ash Sehgal, of Case Western Reserve University, the project’s leader

The Guardian

• “We were surprised when we analysed the results and found a very large effect size. The improvements in asthma symptoms following stove change were similar to – or even greater than – those reported in clinical trials of commonly used asthma medications.” — Ohio. Prof Ash Sehgal, of Case Western Reserve University, the project’s leader

The Guardian

• “I didn’t realise my gas stove was the issue until I used the electric stove. I now need my inhaler way less often.” — Ohio. Prof Ash Sehgal, of Case Western Reserve University, the project’s leader

The Guardian

• “The Ohio study adds to the growing evidence that reducing indoor air pollution can have meaningful health benefits, particularly for people with asthma. As governments and housing providers invest in improving the housing stock, indoor air quality should be considered alongside energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures to maximise health benefits.” — Bradford

The Guardian

These findings suggest that replacing gas cooking appliances could serve as a public-health lever alongside climate-action strategies, offering a potential co-benefit of reduced asthma morbidity while advancing decarbonisation of residential energy use.

The Guardian