How Methane Threatens Health on its Journey to Your Home

As the colder months settle in and we spend more time indoors, it’s crucial to recognize the unseen hazards that methane gas, often called “natural” gas, poses to our health and environment. From extraction to end use in our homes, methane contributes to a cascade of risks that harm communities, particularly those already burdened by pollution. 61% of U.S. households use methane gas for cooking, heating, and drying clothes. Understanding these threats can empower us to make informed choices for healthier, safer living.

Where Does Methane Come From?

When we hear methane, many of us think about cow burps and landfills, but not everyone knows that methane is also extracted from the ground and branded as “natural gas.” When methane gas is pumped from the ground, the pumps burn fuel and emit pollution. Extracting gas often uses hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), which releases hazardous air pollutants and contaminates water supplies. The pollution caused by fracking is linked to an array of health problems including childhood cancer, birth defects and respiratory issues. When gas leaks or is burned (“flared”) from wells, other pollutants are released, like cancer-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). NOx and VOCs are harmful to our lungs and can also form ground-level ozone (smog), which causes respiratory and cardiovascular distress. Communities living near gas wells are especially at risk from these pollutants.

How Methane Gets to Your House

Once methane has been extracted, it needs to be refined. Risks associated with refining gas include potential leaks, exposure to air pollutants, explosions and fires. Once refined, the methane gas is then transported and distributed, which can be dangerous because methane gas is highly flammable. Most gas is distributed through pipelines, which can leak methane. These leaks are a significant source of climate emissions, with some researchers calculating that these leaks dramatically exceed official government estimates. What’s more, gas pipeline leaks disproportionately threaten disadvantaged communities. 

Methane in Your Home

Once methane gas reaches our homes, the risks don’t stop. Many home appliances can burn gas, including clothes dryers, furnaces, ovens, stoves and water heaters. These gas-powered appliances can emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter, increasing the risk of asthma and other respiratory issues, particularly in children and vulnerable populations. As we seal our homes against the cold, the concentration of indoor air pollutants rises making these risks even more pronounced during the winter months. A recent study identified at least 21 different hazardous air pollutants in consumer-grade gas. Additionally, because natural gas is highly flammable, burning it in your home carries safety risks.

Climate Impacts of Methane

In addition to the direct health harms caused by the gas industry, methane harms our health by significantly contributing to climate change, which is a current health emergency. Methane is a powerful climate pollutant. Its heat-trapping capacity is more than 80 times that of carbon dioxide. At every stage of this process, methane escapes into the atmosphere.

How to Keep Your Home Safe

The good news is solutions are within reach. By shifting to electric appliances, such as induction stoves and heat pumps, we can significantly reduce indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Advocacy for federal funding and policy initiatives supporting electrification is also vital. Programs that make electric appliances affordable and accessible, especially for low-income communities, play a critical role in creating healthier homes and accelerating the transition away from methane gas.

This winter, you can follow these proactive steps to protect your family’s health and reduce your exposure to harmful pollutants. Consider these small but effective changes: 

In Your Home and Community:

• Use range hoods or open windows for proper ventilation when cooking to reduce exposure to pollutants.
• Share information about the health risks of methane gas and benefits of electrification with friends and neighbors.
• When you can, upgrade to electric appliances like induction stoves and heat pumps to eliminate harmful indoor emissions.
• Participate in community programs that promote clean energy solutions, especially for underserved areas.

Beyond making changes in your home, advocating for clean energy solutions can help make your community safe. Here are some simple ways to advocate for cleaner air and the use of less methane gas:

• Support local and federal policies promoting electrification and phasing out methane.
• Stay informed about programs like the Inflation Reduction Act that provide incentives for clean energy upgrades, including tax rebates and credits that can help with your home electrification upgrades.
• Raise your voice to advocate for expanded funding and accessibility of electric appliances and other critical policies to address climate change.

By checking these items off your list, you’ll help create a healthier home and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for everyone.