A Sunrise investigation has found gas stoves, used in almost half of Australian homes, can release a range of potentially harmful pollutants into the air while cooking. “This list includes things that irritate your airways but also they can deplete oxygen in the air,” Massy said. While most of the pollutants remained below maximum safe limits, formaldehyde climbed to 85 per cent of the recommended threshold after just 45 minutes of cooking. Credit: SunriseThe findings come as health experts continue to examine the links between gas cooking and respiratory conditions, with exposure to some of the pollutants associated with asthma, particularly in children. “When you open up the area and you mix the indoor and outdoor air, those pollutants disperse much more quickly.