” We discovered that simply having a gas stove can create benzene concentrations in the kitchen equivalent to pre-owned smoke.”– Dr. Eric Lebel
Even low-level gas leaks from kitchen ranges when they are off can create benzene concentrations in homes up to 7 times Californias suggested exposure limitation.
Leakages from gas stoves can create potentially hazardous indoor benzene concentrations.
Scientists discover natural gas throughout California includes various dangerous air contaminants that can impact air quality and public health.
According to new research study from the nonprofit energy science and policy research institute PSE Healthy Energy, the natural gas piped into millions of California homes for heating and cooking includes elevated levels of carcinogens and hazardous air contaminants. Released in Environmental Science & & Technology on October 20, the study found that even low-level gas leaks from kitchen stoves when they are off can create benzene concentrations in homes up to 7 times Californias recommended exposure limit. When the stove is in use, these concentrations are in addition to benzene leaks that may occur.
Scientists likewise computed the capacity for gas leaks to impact outside air quality. Utilizing existing emissions information, the researchers discovered that Californias gas appliances and distribution-level infrastructure leakage the exact same amount of benzene as the emissions from almost 60,000 cars each year.
” Natural gas leaks are a source of harmful air contaminants that have largely been ignored,” said PSE Healthy Energy Senior Scientist Drew Michanowicz. “Policies that phase out gas home appliances are not only great for our climate, our research study reveals that these policies likewise provide important public health benefits by enhancing indoor and outdoor air quality.”
The study comes as the state of California charts a transition from gas home appliances in houses to electrical options over environment and health issues. Last month, California air regulators authorized a first-in-the nation commitment to phase out the sale of gas heaters and hot water heater by 2030– a move that will transition millions of homes to electrical alternatives, such as heatpump. The state has likewise transferred to phase out subsidies for connecting brand-new homes to the gas system, and is thinking about ending rebates for gas home appliances to incentivize the shift to electric options.
Referral: “Composition, Emissions, and Air Quality Impacts of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Unburned Natural Gas from Residential Stoves in California” by Eric D. Lebel, Drew R. Michanowicz, Kelsey R. Bilsback, Lee Ann L. Hill, Jackson S. W. Goldman, Jeremy K. Domen, Jessie M. Jaeger, Angélica Ruiz and Seth B. C. Shonkoff, 20 October 2022, Environmental Science & & Technology.DOI: 10.1021/ acs.est.2 c02581.
PSE Healthy Energy is a not-for-profit research institute devoted to supplying evidence-based clinical and technical information on the general public health, environmental, and climate measurements of energy production and use. We are the only interdisciplinary partnership focused particularly on health and sustainability at the crossway of energy science and policy.
” Natural gas leakages give harmful air contaminants that have mostly been neglected.”– Drew Michanowicz
” Stoves leak percentages of gas all the time, even when they are off. While these leaks are frequently too small to smell, they can still impact air quality and increase human health risks in our homes,” stated lead author Dr. Eric Lebel, senior researcher at PSE Healthy Energy. “We found that just having a gas range can produce benzene concentrations in the kitchen equivalent to pre-owned smoke.”
According to the authors, the study supplies the most detailed information to date on the concentration of dangerous air pollutants in Californias distribution-level natural gas.
Researchers collected 185 individual samples of unburned gas from kitchen area stoves throughout the state. This included samples throughout all three of the states major gas energies: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).
Concentrations of pollutants varied throughout the state, with the greatest levels discovered in Los Angeles County. Remarkably high benzene concentrations were observed in the North San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys, where the research studys maximum benzene concentration of 66 ppmv was observed. This is a level roughly 30 times greater than the statewide average.
According to new research from the nonprofit energy science and policy research study institute PSE Healthy Energy, the natural gas piped into millions of California homes for heating and cooking includes raised levels of carcinogens and dangerous air contaminants. “We found that simply having a gas stove can develop benzene concentrations in the cooking area comparable to secondhand smoke.”
This consisted of samples throughout all 3 of the states significant gas energies: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). Last month, California air regulators approved a first-in-the country dedication to phase out the sale of gas furnaces and water heaters by 2030– a relocation that will shift millions of homes to electric alternatives, such as heat pumps. The state has actually also moved to phase out aids for linking new houses to the gas system, and is thinking about ending refunds for gas devices to incentivize the shift to electric options.