A study of natural gas from gas stoves and outdoor gas appliances found that the natural gas contained toxic air pollutants in over 94% of homes.
Benzene, toluene, hexane, and heptane were found in 94-98% of samples, cyclohexane was found in 89% of samples, and xylene was in 63-75% of samples. The study found 296 different chemicals in the natural gas samples, 21 or 7% of the chemicals found have been identified as hazardous air pollutants.
Benzene, toluene, xylene, and many of the other chemicals are toxic, (directly causing health problems) carcinogenic (they increase cancer risk), contribute to both ozone and particulate formation outdoors, and are major greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.
The study measured the actual natural gas from stoves or outdoor appliances. It did not measure the air pollution levels inside homes for these chemicals. Any gas leaks inside or outside the home contributes to both indoor and outdoor air pollution, and the chemicals are all major greenhouse gases causing climate change.
The more we learn about “natural” gas, the more we learn how bad it is for our health. Fossil fuels create both air pollution and climate change, and we need to stop using them.
The study was done in Boston by researchers from Harvard and partners, and analyzed 234 samples from 69 residences, from 3 different natural gas companies.
What you can do:
1. If you are able, replace any natural gas appliances (stoves, furnaces, water heaters) in your home with electric appliances.
2. If you have a gas stove and can’t replace it, open windows and use exhaust fans when you cook.
3. Advocate with elected leaders for just funding to transition away from natural gas. Government funding needs to be done in a just manner: because of our country’s economic and environmental racism we are forcing more exposure on black and brown people while at the same time preventing access to the resources to take care of it. All solutions need to be just and equitable.
Read a news report about the study here.
Read the scientific study here.
6-29-22
