NATURAL GAS APPLIANCES CAN LEAK HARMFUL CHEMICALS inside our homes, even when the stoves and ovens are not in use. According to the federal Energy Information Administration, approximately 47 million households use such devices in the United States. Today we explore the relationship between natural gas and health.
Natural gas is a naturally occurring mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons. The gas consists primarily of methanes and various small amounts of higher alkanes. Low levels of other gases (including carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and helium) are typically present.
Natural gas is odorless and colorless, so odorizers such as mercaptan, which smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, are commonly added to natural gas supplies for safety so we can readily detect leaks. If you smelled the concoction, you might describe a rotten egg odor.
It is important to detect a gas leak. If you smell natural gas, get out of the building immediately. Don’t use a light switch, telephone, or cell phone. Once you have vacated the premises, call the emergency line (911 in the United States).
Natural gas is widespread
The Energy Information Administration provides a broad overview of natural gas use in the United States. The United States used about 30.28 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas in 2021, representing 32 percent of U.S. total energy consumption. Here is how we use it:
- Electric power sector. This industry uses natural gas to make electricity and to produce useful thermal output. The electric power sector accounts for more than one-third (37 percent) of our total natural gas consumption.
- Industrial sector. This enterprise uses natural gas for process heating, in combined heat and power systems, as a raw material to make chemicals, fertilizer, and hydrogen. The industrial accounts for one-third of total United States natural gas consumption.
- Residential sector. This sector uses natural gas to heat water and buildings, cook, and dry clothing. Approximately half of the homes in the USA use natural gas for water and space heating. The residential sector accounts for about 15 percent of total gas consumption in the USA and 23 percent of the sector’s total energy consumption.
- Commercial sector. This industry uses natural gas to heat water and buildings, cook, dry clothes, operate refrigeration and cooling equipment, and for outdoor lighting. Some in the commercial sector also use natural gas as a fuel in combined heat and power systems. The commercial sector accounts for about 11 percent of total natural gas consumption and is the source of about 19 percent of the commercial sector’s total energy consumption.
- Transportation sector. This sector uses natural gas to operate compressors that move gas through pipelines and as a vehicle fuel in the form of compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas. Almost all natural gas fuel vehicles are in government and private vehicle fleets. The transportation sector accounts for three percent of total natural gas consumption in the United States.
We use natural gas throughout the United States, but five states account for approximately 39 percent of total natural gas consumption. These states include Texas (15 percent), California (7 percent), Louisiana (6 percent), Pennsylvania (6 percent), and Louisiana (5 percent).
The United Kingdom is the 11th leading country in the world for gas consumption. This amount represents 2.1 percent of the world’s total consumption. The United Kingdom imports 42 percent of its natural gas.
Australia is number 25 in the world for natural gas consumption, accounting for 1.2 percent of the world’s total consumption. The country ranks #16 for natural gas production and exports 41 percent of its natural gas production.
Natural gas and cancer
Do you have a natural gas stove or oven? I do, and my ears perked up with a new research study published in Environmental Science and Technology.
Natural gas stoves and ovens can leak potentially harmful chemicals inside our homes, even when we are not actively using the devices. The investigation identified at least 12 hazardous air pollutants from gas stoves in California (USA), including the cancer-causing chemical benzene.
Benzene can cause cancer, based on human and lab animal investigations. The American Cancer Society reports that rates of leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML), are higher in studies of workers exposed to high levels of benzene, such as those in the shoemaking, chemical, and oil refining industries.
In addition, the ACS adds, some research investigations have also suggested associations with childhood leukemia (particularly AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and other blood-related cancers (such as multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma) in adults. However, the evidence is not as robust for these cancers. There is much less evidence linking benzene to any other type of cancer.
Natural gas and other dangers
The America Cancer Society explains that cancer is not the only health problem associated with chronic exposure to benzene. In the short term, breathing in high doses of the substance can affect the nervous system and lead to drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness.
Consume foods or liquids with high benzene levels, and you may experience stomach irritation, dizziness, sleepiness, vomiting, convulsions, a rapid heart rate, or death. Exposure to liquid benzene can irritate the eyes or throat. Some individuals experience skin redness or blisters with skin exposure.
Long-term exposure to benzene mainly harms the bone marrow, the soft inside parts of bones where we create new blood cells. Such exposure can cause lower red blood cell counts (anemia), with resultant fatigue and weakness. A lower white blood cell count can compromise the body’s ability to fight infection and be life-threatening. A low blood platelet count can lead to bruising and bleeding.
Limited evidence suggests that chronic benzene exposure might harm reproductive organs. We do not know if benzene exposure affects fetuses in pregnant women or male fertility.
Natural gas — A new study
A non-profit energy research group — PSE Healthy Energy — obtained samples from 159 residential stoves in 16 counties throughout California. Here is their first finding
Of the samples obtained from 159 residential stoves in California (USA), 99 percent had benzene.
Next, the researchers calculated a household’s benzene exposure based on kitchen size, ventilation levels, chemical presence, and whether the stoves leaked after being turned off. The leakiest stoves exposed individuals to indoor benzene concentrations up to seven times the California Environmental Protection Agency-set safe exposure levels.
It’s not just benzene.
Moreover, the stoves emit other chemicals: Historical research demonstrates that gas stoves produce indoor pollution. Here is study co-author Kelsey Bilsback on a media call: “Anywhere natural gas is leaked, hazardous air pollutants are likely being released.”
Historical studies demonstrated gas stoves emit nitrogen oxides. These substances can irritate our eyes, nose, throat, or lungs. Some exposed individuals experience dizziness, generalized fatigue, or shortness of breath.
Co-author Drew Michanowicz had previously identified 21 hazardous air pollutants from gas stoves and outdoor gas lines in Boston homes. These pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (including benzene) associated with certain cancers, cognitive impairment, or congenital disabilities among the chronically exposed.
Can we escape the indoor air pollution problem by selecting a particular appliance brand? Alas, the benzene presence appeared irrespective of the particular appliance brand.
The observation that — because gas stove emissions (even when the appliance is off) can produce concentrations of benzene equivalent to living with a cigarette smoker — has my attention.
I will add the response of the American Gas Association: “The new study relies on questionable assumptions about airflow that are inconsistent with typical American homes. It is difficult to draw conclusions from measurements from 159 homes in one state when there are more than 77 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in all fifty states.”
Natural gas — My take
I will now open doors and windows to ventilate my kitchen in the short term. This maneuver may help mitigate my family’s exposure, but I know some risk remains. Here are some action points for me:
- Gas stove. When I remodel my kitchen, I look forward to replacing the gas appliance with an electric one. Eliminate the gas, and I should eliminate the risk.
- Pumping gasoline. I will limit my exposure to fumes by searching for gas stations with vapor recovery systems that capture the fumes. I will also try hard to avoid spilling gasoline on my hands.
- Idling car engines. I look forward to limiting my time around idling car engines and lowering my exposure to exhaust fumes containing benzene and other harmful chemicals.
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The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
