A new mapping tool shows that methane super-emitter events from oil and gas sites often release toxic chemicals like benzene at levels that threaten public health, especially in nearby communities.
Liza Gross reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- A new Methane Risk Map developed by scientists at PSE Healthy Energy identifies toxic air pollutants — including carcinogens — released during methane super-emitter events, with some plumes exposing thousands of nearby residents.
- The team found that natural gas contains far more than methane, often carrying a mix of hazardous volatile organic compounds like benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene, posing significant health risks even miles from emission sites.
- Regulatory gaps and exemptions, especially in California, mean many leaks go unmonitored or unregulated, despite occurring in densely populated or sensitive areas like schools, daycares, and nursing homes.
Key quote:
“Natural gas is not just methane. It’s actually closer to a chemical soup.”
— Seth Shonkoff, executive director of PSE Healthy Energy
Why this matters:
Methane is often described as a climate threat, but the health hazards linked to oil and gas leaks are equally pressing. Methane itself doesn’t poison the air, but it rarely travels alone. Emissions from wells, tanks, and pipelines often carry volatile chemicals that can damage lungs, the immune system, and even cause cancer. Many of these leaks occur close to homes, parks, schools, and daycares, especially in communities of color or low-income neighborhoods already burdened by poor air quality. In places like California’s Central Valley, emissions are frequent and legal due to loopholes and lax enforcement. Without real-time monitoring and transparency about what’s in the gas, families may be breathing toxic air without ever knowing it.
Related: EPA gives drillers an 18-month reprieve on methane leak controls
