Health hazard: doctors say it's time to run out of gas

Doctors in Australia are urging the government to halt the approval of new gas projects and cease the use of gas appliances, warning that natural gas presents a significant public health risk. Children and workers in the hospitality industry are among the most vulnerable to health hazards stemming from gas exposure, though pollution from its extraction and climate change could exacerbate the problem further.

Doctors for the Environment Australia released findings from a comprehensive report on Wednesday, prior to its unveiling at Parliament House in Canberra. This call comes amid several new gas projects advancing across the nation, such as the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory, and after the government's approval for Woodside's North West Shelf project in Western Australia to operate until 2070.

The report, titled "Gas and its Overlooked Health Risks," examined both national and international research on the impact of fossil fuels. It identified a strong correlation between gas usage and asthma, with Australian modeling suggesting that 12.3% of childhood asthma cases can be attributed to gas cooking. Adults are also at heightened risk of persistent asthma and shortness of breath due to exposure to burning gas, according to the report.

Studies have shown that transitioning to electric cooking could enhance health outcomes. Furthermore, hospitality workers are particularly susceptible to harmful pollutants from gas stoves in poorly ventilated kitchens, while those employed in mining, manufacturing, and laboratory settings face additional gas-related risks.

Australian authorities have been misled into believing that gas is a natural and clean energy source, according to Dr. Kate Wylie, executive director of Doctors for the Environment Australia. However, the evidence does not support these claims. She emphasized that gas is not clean or safe, as it can pose health risks throughout its entire life cycle.

The report calls for the government to cease approving new gas projects and establish a clear timeline for phasing out gas extraction, distribution, use, and exports. It also advocates for targeted financial assistance to aid low-income households and renters in replacing gas appliances and disconnecting from the gas network. Dr. Wylie noted that while some states, like Victoria and the ACT, have taken steps to limit gas connections to new residential and commercial properties, nationwide action is required.

The document commends governments in Victoria and the ACT for their efforts but stresses the urgency of national changes. It asserts that governments should not delay addressing major public health hazards. Australia has previously acted to reduce exposure to dangerous pollutants when evidence indicated that risks were intolerable; gas should be treated similarly.

The report cites examples from parts of Europe and the US, where new gas connections have been restricted, and Ecuador's initiative to fund a program replacing gas stoves in 750,000 homes, which yielded health benefits.