The Cooking Electrification and Ventilation Improvements for Children’s Asthma (CEVICA)

Project Innovation

The Cooking Electrification and Ventilation Improvements for Children’s Asthma (CEVICA) study aims to inform state policies related to decarbonization and energy equity by quantifying the indoor air quality (IAQ) and health benefits of cooking electrification and exposure reduction interventions in the homes of children with asthma in three disadvantaged communities in California’s Central Valley.

The CEVICA project will advance knowledge by conducting a factorial, randomized control trial (RCT) to test the separate and synergistic impacts of (a) replacing a gas stove / range with an electric induction range and (b) verifying the availability of kitchen exhaust ventilation and educating and encouraging its use during all cooking. A companion randomized crossover study will quantify the IAQ and asthma health impacts of shifting cooking from a gas range to 120V countertop electric appliances, a more broadly accessible method that can provide immediate benefits to renters, homes with limited electrical service, and others unable to upgrade to an electric range. The IAQ and health benefits, costs, and deployment potential of the cooking electrification approaches will be compared to other air pollutant exposure mitigations, including kitchen ventilation and air cleaner use with real-time information from a low-cost IAQ monitor.