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Invisible Toxic Gas Clouds Threaten Thousands of Americans
27 Aug
Summary
- 127,000 Americans and 100 sensitive facilities exposed to toxic methane leaks
- Benzene and other carcinogens found in high concentrations near leak sites
- Leaks often go undetected due to invisible, odorless nature of methane
According to a recent report, thousands of Americans are living in the direct path of invisible toxic gas clouds from 'super-emitter' methane leaks across the country. Researchers at the California-based non-profit science institute PSE Healthy Energy have created an interactive map using data from over 1,300 major methane leaks to model the spread of these dangerous air pollutants.
The team found that 127,000 Americans and over 100 sensitive facilities like schools and hospitals are located within two miles of major oil and gas leaks. This exposes vulnerable populations to an invisible, odorless, and harmful mix of pollutants, including known human carcinogens such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. Long-term exposure to these toxic chemicals has strong links to leukemia, permanent damage to the central nervous system, organ damage, and mental illness.
The map shows that many 'super-emitter' sites have methane concentrations exceeding 300, 700, and even 1,000 kg per hour, with some reaching over 3,500 kg per hour. These leaks often go undetected due to the invisible and odorless nature of methane, putting nearby residents at risk without their knowledge.
