vulnerable communities
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Living near fossil gas leaks can seriously harm your health
Scientists use leaked methane to map toxic health threats in affected communities.
In short:
- Communities in the Permian Basin are experiencing health risks from pollutants released by oil and gas production.
- Studies link these pollutants to premature deaths and childhood asthma, with a significant annual health bill in the US.
- New technologies are helping to detect and map methane leaks, potentially reducing exposure to harmful emissions.
Key quote:
"The highest concentrations of these non-methane hydrocarbons are in gas at wellheads, which also have the highest emission rates."
— Amy Townsend-Small, professor and climate scientist at the University of Cincinnati
Why this matters:
Living near fossil gas infrastructure poses severe health risks, including respiratory issues and cancer. Detecting and reducing methane emissions can improve air quality and public health outcomes. Read more: Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual US health damages.
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Credit: Roy Luck/Flickr
Texas companies skirt federal environmental laws with permit loopholes
In Texas, industrial facilities are avoiding stricter federal environmental regulations by classifying themselves as "minor" sources, raising concerns about air pollution and regulatory oversight.
In short:
- Companies in Texas exploit legal distinctions between major and minor pollution sources to bypass stringent federal environmental standards, a practice that exacerbates air pollution.
- Environmental attorneys and experts identify a systemic issue in Texas' permitting process, where facilities underreport emissions or split their operations to evade federal oversight.
- This practice, while legal, contradicts the spirit of environmental protection laws, leading to significant environmental and health concerns in areas like Greater Houston.
Key quote:
"This is sort of a foundational problem with Texas permitting and it’s leading to a lot of harm,"
— Gabriel Clark-Leach, former staff attorney for the Environmental Integrity Project.
More Top News: Visit Environmental Health News for the latest breaking news on environmental health and climate change.
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