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West Australian
a day ago
- Health
- West Australian
Angela Pownall: I got rid of my gas cooktop because research shows it's harmful to our health
Australia may have cemented its love affair with gas with the recent extension of Woodside's North West Shelf project in WA until 2070, but at home I've said goodbye to gas. I hadn't given much thought to my gas cooktop until recently. It was old and a bit grubby but its replacement certainly wasn't at the top of my to-do list around the home. Until I read a new US study which found that high gas stove usage at home without proper ventilation 'greatly increases cancer risks.' Even more worrying is the finding that children's cancer risk by gas stove exposure is almost double than that for adults. Scientists from Stanford University measured the emissions from gas cooktops in 87 American kitchens. They also tracked the pollutants' spread to other rooms and measured how long they lingered in other parts of the house, including bedrooms which was of particular concern, given we spend a third of our lives in bed. High-efficiency ventilation was found to substantially reduce benzene exposure, but the report authors said there is no safe limit for long-term exposure. Research findings like this are not new, with the Stanford report citing previous studies showing that exposure to gas and propane stoves is harmful to human health under certain conditions. And that combustion produces numerous pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (an irritant that causes respiratory disease and aggravates asthma), carbon monoxide (which reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen), formaldehyde and benzene (which are both known human carcinogens). With a toddler at home, the guilt of my ignorance about this weighed heavily on me. Thankfully it was a quick and easy process to swap over to an electric cooktop, and switch off my gas supply. According to Energy Consumers Australia, disconnecting from the mains gas network will save me nearly $400 a year on my energy bill . Energy Consumers Australia's latest survey showed only 24 per cent of West Australians are planning to cancel their gas supply within the next 10 years — the lowest in the country. But I suspect many more would consider it if they were aware of the health risks of gas cooktops. Why aren't our government health departments and health promotion organisations alerting the public to these dangers? The ACT and Victorian governments have implemented policies to prevent new residential mains gas connections. While stating this is being done to reduce fossil fuel emissions, there will be long-term health benefits for generations of residents. Unfortunately WA is not moving in the same direction. WA Premier Roger Cook said in 2023 WA would not follow Victoria in banning gas connections to new homes. It's a stance that needs to change in response to mounting evidence that gas cooktops pose an unnecessary risk to health, particularly that of our children.
The Guardian
14-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Australians are about to get bigger electricity bills. What can you do to keep costs down?
Hundreds of thousands of Australians will be slugged with higher energy prices after 1 July, as authorities warn they will be upping the maximum level energy companies can charge. The headache for households will come as the federal government's $300 energy rebate ends and the country goes into winter. As consumers brace for this triple threat of bill pain, experts say there are small things owners and renters can do to help elevate the pressure in their hip pockets. Energy companies are required to tell you if you're not on the cheapest plan, says the Canstar Blue data insights director, Sally Tindall. 'It typically is on page one, and it says you could be saving money on a cheaper plan,' Tindall says. 'If you've got that message on your bill, that's a red flag that you need to haul your electricity provider over the coals and make sure that you're on a competitively priced plan that suits your needs.' Data from Canstar shows Sydney consumers could save $385, Melbourne consumers could save $318 and Brisbane residents could save $475 by switching from the average plan to the most affordable. In Adelaide, the possible savings are $424, while in Hobart it's $139 and $444 for Canberra. Some consumers have taken the set-and-forget approach to their electricity, but Liz Stephens, Energy Consumers Australia's general manager, says people should be savvy and shop around. 'The energy market is basically designed to encourage 'honeymoon deals' to acquire new customers – and it then puts the onus on the customer to switch once the honeymoon period ends,' Stephens says. Consumers can check the Energy Made Easy website, a free Australian government energy price comparison service for households and small businesses, she says. It takes about 15 minutes and can save hundreds of dollars. She recommends people use it once, if not twice, a year. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Homeowners have the option of investing in solar or insulation, which can save thousands in the long run. But it's harder for renters, Tindall says. If the landlord agrees, renters can use sealant or tape to fix drafts and holes, which can help keep in warm air in winter and keep it out in summer. 'Even things like making sure the fridge is in an efficient location can have an impact on how much energy it uses,' she says. 'Keeping your fridge away from direct sunlight, keeping your fridge away from an oven, they're really important things to think about.' Throwing rugs over tiled areas; using heavy curtains; closing them to keep the heat out in the day, or opening them in winter; can help too, she says. Small changes to the use of power can make a big difference, Tindall says. Making sure appliances are turned off at the wall when you're cooking on the stove, putting a lid on, and using an air fryer over the oven where possible, are all small tweaks that can add up. 'Having shorter showers,' she says. 'No one likes that idea, but now is a great time to start having shorter showers. 'Build that into your routine that they're shorter while the weather is warmer. Because I think when winter hits, the inclination is for people to just sit in the shower and warm up that way, which can be very expensive.' If you're starting to struggle, Tindall says to contact your retailer straight away. The law requires retailers to help. Check the different concessions each state offers for bills, especially if you have a pension or healthcare card. 'I would strongly recommend calling the national debt helpline,' Tindal says. 'The number is 1800 007 007, they can put you in touch with a free financial counsellor who can look through your finances and help you make a plan.'
