Because propane is so versatile and cost-effective, it is a popular choice in homes like yours throughout western North Carolina and across the country. Given the recent rumors and news items from other states involving a gas stove ban, you may have questioned whether you should use propane for cooking and how safe it is. Let us put your concerns and worries to rest.
Yes. Propane has an exceptional safety record thanks in part to a lot of government and industry regulations. Furthermore, propane is non-toxic, so in the rare event of a spill, you don’t have to worry about it causing damage to the nearby flora or fauna. Further still, at James Oxygen & Supply we are dedicated to providing safe propane delivery and service. We emphasize consumer safety when it comes to propane.
No. Don’t worry. There are no laws currently banning gas stoves in North Carolina. In fact, in June, North Carolina lawmakers passed an ordinance that would prevent local governments from banning the purchase of ovens, stoves, and heaters based on fuel. However, it is a topic that has been debated recently in other parts of the country. That’s due in large part to a 2019 building code regulation in Berkeley, CA that banned gas connections in new buildings. New York has a similar ban set to take effect next year.
What was the motivation for such a building code? Concerns about climate change. That’s because it was estimated that roughly one third of Berkely’s emissions could be attributed to natural gas. Then there was a shift from environmental concerns to health concerns. This was largely due to a recent study that indicated the potential for indoor air pollution hazards with the use of gas stoves. Then the rumor began to spread that the U.S. government intended to confiscate all of the gas stoves in the country. That is patently false.
Presently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is simply seeking to obtain public input on hazards associated with gas stoves. (The CPSC is the government agency that seeks to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths associated with faulty consumer products.)
The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) has argued that different studies have produced different results in terms of the negative impact to indoor air that different types of stoves produce. They further argue that the sample size of one study (known as the Stanford study) is extremely small. Furthermore, it’s based on unrealistic cooking conditions. In addition, electric stoves are not without their drawbacks. They also produce particulate matter and can emit dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde.
So, what’s the bottom line? Tucker Perkins, president of PERC, had this to say, “Rather than gas bans, states should focus on natural gas supply chains and mitigate potential hazards…. This, along with proper installation, ventilation, and yearly checkups by qualified technicians constitutes a common-sense approach to addressing health and safety concerns around gas appliances.”
James Oxygen & Supply is proud to be a family-owned company that is focused on service and safety. We’re committed to providing our western North Carolina customers with quality propane at a fair price. With James Oxygen, you’ll get safe and courteous propane delivery and the best possible service.
You can trust the professionals at James Oxygen & Supply. Contact us today to learn more.