CLEVELAND — Pollution is something most of us think about happening outside. But now, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency said it's launching a $17 million grant program to reduce air pollution inside Cuyahoga County homes by replacing gas stoves with electric ones.  

The sound of a gas stove lighting, it’s a sound health experts say you shouldn’t hear if you have asthma or another respiratory illness.

Pam Schuellerman is the director of community housing solutions, and she said she wanted people to know not just about the health risks of gas stoves, but also a possible solution for disadvantaged areas. 

Those living in Cleveland and several surrounding communities can benefit from a $17-million EPA grant to replace gas stoves with electric ones. 

“We’re looking at ways to promote and insure home owners have a safe and healthy house and this is just one avenue to do that,” she said.

MetroHealth is partnering on the project, project director, Dr. Ash Sehgal, said gas stoves emit pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, and getting rid of those by switching to an electric stove can improve health for those with asthma.

“In Cleveland about one of every five people have asthma and Cleveland is rated as one of the worst cities in the country to live in with asthma in part because of the air pollution we have in this area,” he said.

Dr. Sehgal said electric stoves will also be safer and more energy efficient.

The work will start in the coming weeks, with the support of seven community organizations like community housing solutions, who said they’re ready to hit the ground running.

“The people that we serve, they want to age in place and we want them to do so in a healthy home and this is just one of the ways to ensure that,” Schuellerman said.