Natural gas is formed after plant and animal carcasses are buried and exposed to pressure and heat for many years. Primarily, it is composed of methane which is colourless and odourless. Gas manufacturing companies add a smell (methanethiol or ethanethiol) for leak detection. It is used in homes to heat and cook. However, natural gas leaks may happen without the homeowner realizing. Though some people are sensitive to smells, some are not. Understanding the health effects of natural gas leaks comes handy in preventing diseases outbreaks and telling when there is a gas leak. Below are 3 common health problems associated with natural gas leaks:
1. Breathing Problems
When natural gas is released into the atmosphere, water vapor, toxic fumes, volatile organic substances and ashes are released into the atmosphere. When these substances find their way into our respiratory systems, they move to the lungs and into the body bringing with them respiratory diseases. Given that natural gas is lighter than air, it rises up and its concentration in the head increases. The first symptom experienced will be difficulty in breathing followed by pneumonia, vomiting, loss of memory, nausea, sinus pain, fatigue and headache. The above symptoms are a result of lower natural gas concentrations. Leak detection should be done at this stage before more adverse effects are experienced.
On high concentrations, the gas will lead to diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, genital itches, depression and pain in the legs and hands.
2. Asphyxiation
This is one of the most common effects of natural gas leaks. It is a serious health condition where supply of oxygen in the body is interfered with and body tissues cannot get enough oxygen. Asphyxiation results to loss of consciousness, brain damage and in severe cases, death. Individuals with high chemical sensitivity are more susceptible to asphyxiation and they are more likely to die from it.
3. Physiological Effects
Methanethiol and ethanethiol are both odourants added to natural gas to help in leak detection. In the event of a leakage, these substances may be inhaled into our bodies. When significant amount of ethanethiol is inhaled into our bodies, it interferes with the body’s physiological functioning and causes headache, vomiting, dizziness, fever, shivering and unconsciousness. Besides these two substances, natural gas contains a horde of contaminants such as benzene, toluene, radon and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs). Most of these contaminants pose serious health threats when inhaled into our bodies during gas leakage. Benzene, radon and polychlorinated biphenyl are carcinogenic (cause cancer) while toluene affects the reproductive system.
Managing Gas Leaks
Besides health effects, natural gas has many more hazardous effects when released into the atmosphere. It affects the vegetation, can cause fire which destroys property and causes greenhouse effect. To this end, it is important that homeowners devise ways to tell when their is a gas leakage and correct it before the situation worsens. Carrying out regular audits on the car systems and home cooking and heating systems comes handy in correcting the problem. If you cannot detect the smell of gas, you can watch out for the primary symptoms of effects of gas leaks like difficulties in breathing, dizziness and headache.