Risks of using natural gas are low

Dear Dr. Roach: There is much mainstream news recently about the health risks of using natural gas appliances. I am 75 and have survived a lifetime of cooking and home heating, and hot water from natural gas. How seriously should I be about natural gas in our actuarial calculations?

C.E.H.

Answer: The reason for concern with natural gas stoves is that there is evidence that children are more likely to develop asthma in homes that use natural gas stoves for cooking. This effect was strongest in multifamily homes and did not exist in one analysis concerning single family homes. The effect is thought to be due to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), but benzene (from unburnt natural gas) and fine soot are other possible issues.

Long-term high exposure to NO2 is associated with chronic lung disease and reduced mortality, but these studies have been done based on air pollution, not home exposure from gas stoves.

The magnitude of the risk from gas cooking is low, so I think the effect on your expected mortality is likely to be very low.

Dear Dr. Roach: Iama 64-year-old man and have a history of borderlinehigh blood pressure. The reason I am writing is that, over the last year, I have experienced an abnormal sensation in my mouth. It is hard for me to explain, but my mouth feels really dry all the time. I have also developed white patches on my tongue. My doctor was worried that it could have been COVID-related, but my senses of taste and smell are fine. I was wondering if this really can happen after COVID and what can help to make me feel better.

Answer: Many people have symptoms that may last for weeks or months after a COVID infection.

Reported symptoms after COVID include pain, dryness, redness, color changes white plaque, fungal infections, and swelling.

Hard sugar-free candies or mouth moisturizers may help short-term. If this is a post-COVID complication, it should get better over the next several months.