Well over 60 homes in the Greater Boston area were included in a recent study that examined the supply of natural gas from December 2019 to May 2021.
Household natural gas was found to include at least 21 dangerous chemical constituents, some of which have been linked to cancer, despite their low concentration.
One does not just receive a supply of unadulterated methane straight from the Earth’s innermost layers when he turns on a cooking gas stove.
Over 300 chemical compounds found in cooking gas
According to the findings of the recent study, the household gas used for heat and cooking in the US may also include trace amounts of harmful substances, some of which have been related to diseases, including cancer.
In a recent study, which was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, natural gas included erratic concentrations of over 300 different chemical elements, 21 of that are classified by the federal government as harmful air pollutants. Researchers discovered that even when a household isn’t using any devices, a mix of pollutants may still be entering the home.
Jonathan Buonocore, a research scientist at Harvard Chan C-CHANGE, claims that the study has shown that gas devices like ovens and stoves can still release harmful chemicals into homes even when they are not in use.
Compounds found in cooking gas can cause health problems
Benzene was one of the compounds found in household gas that was the most concerning. The presence of benzene, which is detected in 95% of samples, is linked to a higher risk of leukemia and other blood problems. Toluene and xylene, two further alarming discoveries, are hazardous substances that can harm a variety of organs, including the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, the lungs, the kidneys, and the heart.
In comparison to methane, the main component of natural gas, the level of other compounds was relatively low.
Additionally, they highlighted how the presence of harmful substances might vary depending on the location and season, with wintertime levels being the highest.
