Gas appliances may have subtle effect on brain development

June 5, 2009 The report on nearly 400 Spanish preschoolers finds those exposed to gas appliances since infancy had lower scores on tests of memory, language skills and attention.

Researchers stress this is just an average difference in cognitive performance and not about serious learning problems. Still, the research in the American Journal of Epidemiology recommends parents limit their children's exposure.

That can be done by making sure the appliances are properly ventilated and by keeping children out of the kitchen when the stove is being used.