Oil Pollution: Air Quality Impact And Concerns

Oil and gas production is a major contributor to air pollution, with a range of toxic gases and compounds emitted during exploration, production, refining, processing, and combustion. These emissions have severe impacts on both the environment and human health, with the potential to cause cancer, congenital disabilities, childhood asthma, and even premature death. While global efforts to transition to clean energy sources are underway, oil and gas production continues to increase, particularly in the United States, highlighting the urgent need to address the air pollution and health risks associated with this industry.

Oil and gas production's impact on air quality and human health

Oil and gas production has a significant impact on air quality and human health. The oil and gas industry is a major source of air pollution, releasing various harmful gases and particles into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to climate change and negatively affect the air we breathe, leading to adverse health outcomes for people living nearby and even in distant locations.

One of the primary concerns regarding air pollution from oil and gas production is the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted during the exploration, production, refining, and processing of oil and gas. They also evaporate directly from the oil and gas being extracted, stored, and transported. These compounds react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a hazardous air pollutant. Ozone can irritate the lungs, reduce lung function, and cause or worsen respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Exposure to ozone has been linked to increased hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to respiratory issues.

In addition to ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOx) are another significant air pollutant associated with oil and gas production, particularly the burning of natural gas. Nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of smog and have been linked to various health issues, including respiratory problems and increased mortality rates. In fact, nitrogen oxide was found to be the largest contributor to mortality and over 80% of asthma attacks attributed to oil and gas pollution.

The impact of oil and gas production on human health extends beyond respiratory issues. Studies have shown that people living near oil and gas wells, especially in densely drilled shale basins, have experienced increased rates of childhood leukemia, congenital heart defects, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Additionally, certain pollutants released during oil and gas operations, such as benzene and formaldehyde, are known or suspected carcinogens. Exposure to these toxicants can cause cancer and other adverse health effects, underscoring the importance of controlling emissions from this industry.

The health impacts of oil and gas production are not limited to communities in close proximity to extraction sites. Pollution from this industry can travel long distances, affecting populations in states with limited or no gas activity. This highlights the need for comprehensive regulatory action and coordinated efforts across regions to protect public health from the adverse effects of oil and gas air pollution.

Oil and gas's contribution to climate change

Oil and gas activities have significantly contributed to climate change, primarily through their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and air pollutants. The oil and gas industry is responsible for about 45% of anthropogenic GHG emissions, with methane being the most prevalent. Other harmful emissions include nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to the formation of harmful ozone in the lower atmosphere. These emissions have led to increased pressure on oil and gas companies to decarbonize and address their environmental commitments.

The production, processing, and use of oil and gas emit various greenhouse gases and air toxicants. Oil exploration, refining, and combustion also release toxicants that drive climate change. Leaks, flames, and excessive emissions from refineries release dangerous air pollutants or toxicants, including VOCs, which are known or suspected of causing cancer and congenital disabilities. These emissions have severe environmental and health impacts, with thousands of early deaths and childhood asthma cases attributed to oil and gas air pollution in the United States alone.

The health impacts of oil and gas air pollution extend beyond local communities to cross-state boundaries, underscoring the need for regional and nationwide coordination in addressing these issues. The five states with the highest impacts from oil and gas pollution in the US are Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, which have significant oil and gas activity. However, Illinois and New York, with minimal oil and gas production, also experienced high health risks due to emissions drifting from other states.

To mitigate the environmental and health consequences of oil and gas activities, several strategies have been proposed. These include leak detection and control measures, spatial management of emissions in production facilities, and the implementation of process control systems to reduce downtime and maintenance costs while improving resource efficiency. Additionally, there is a growing push for oil and gas companies to go beyond decarbonizing their corporate footprints and address their environmental commitments more comprehensively. National oil companies (NOCs) have begun to articulate ambitious plans to reduce GHG emissions, and there is a focus on developing new decarbonization technologies.

While the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is gaining momentum, oil and gas production continues to increase in the United States, highlighting the complex challenges in addressing climate change.

Oil and gas's impact on childhood asthma

The oil and gas industry has an extensive impact on air pollution, with various activities such as exploration, production, refining, processing, and combustion emitting toxicants and greenhouse gases. Among these emissions, methane (CH4), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are particularly harmful. These pollutants contribute to climate change and have severe environmental and human health consequences.

One of the adverse health effects associated with oil and gas pollution is childhood asthma. A study published in the journal Environmental Research: Health found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector in the United States led to significant detrimental effects on air quality and human health. The study identified that nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and ozone (O3) from oil and gas production caused 2,200 new cases of childhood asthma in 2016. Moreover, states with significant oil and gas activity, such as Texas, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana, experienced the highest impacts from this pollution.

The impact of oil and gas pollution on childhood asthma is not limited to the immediate vicinity of production facilities. Even states with limited or no gas activity, like Illinois and New York, faced substantial health consequences. This highlights the necessity for comprehensive regulatory measures to safeguard Americans from the harmful pollutants generated by the oil and gas sector. Strategies that solely focus on end-of-pipe pollution controls, such as those in power plants and vehicles, only address a fraction of the problem.

Additionally, the use of gas stoves has been identified as a contributing factor to childhood asthma. Research has revealed that gas stoves emit toxic chemicals and carcinogens, even when turned off, leading to indoor pollution levels that far exceed those found outdoors. A study estimated that approximately 12.7% of childhood asthma cases in the United States, or around 650,000 individuals under 18, are attributed to gas stove pollution. However, it is important to note that a World Health Organization-funded study suggested that natural gas was associated with a lower risk of health issues compared to other global fuels, and no significant association was found between natural gas use and asthma in children.

Overall, the oil and gas industry's impact on childhood asthma is a pressing concern, underscoring the urgency of implementing effective emission reduction strategies and regulatory frameworks to safeguard public health and mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution on vulnerable populations, including children.

Oil and gas's role in early deaths

Oil and gas production has a significant impact on air quality and human health, contributing to thousands of early deaths and childhood asthma cases. A study published in the journal Environmental Research: Health found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector in the United States led to substantial adverse effects. The pollutants nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and ozone (O3) from US oil and gas production were responsible for 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and 2,200 new cases of childhood asthma in 2016. The health impacts were concentrated in areas with significant oil and gas production, such as southwest Pennsylvania, Texas, and Eastern Colorado. However, the effects also reached densely populated cities with minimal gas activity, including Chicago, New York City, and Baltimore.

The five states with the highest impact from oil and gas pollution were Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, which all have significant oil and gas activity. However, Illinois and New York, which produce very little oil and gas, still ranked 6th and 8th in terms of health impacts. This indicates the need for regional and nationwide coordination to address air pollution and its health consequences. NO2 was the highest contributor to overall health impacts, followed by O3 and PM2.5. State regulations targeting NO2 emissions from the oil and gas sector could help reduce childhood asthma cases and provide secondary health benefits in downwind areas.

The oil and gas industry's activities, including production, processing, and use, emit various greenhouse gases, primarily methane. While there have been developments in renewable energy technologies, oil and gas still accounted for over half of the world's energy consumption in 2016. The increasing demand for clean energy and the climate crisis are putting pressure on oil and gas companies to decarbonize and address their environmental and health impacts. Strategies focusing on end-of-pipe pollution controls during combustion in power plants, vehicles, and industries only address part of the problem. The health impacts of the oil and gas lifecycle, from "well to wheels," "well to power plant," and "well to furnace," must be considered in energy, air quality, and decarbonization policies to effectively protect public health.

In addition to the health impacts on surrounding communities, the oil and gas industry also poses risks to its workers. From 2008 to 2017, 1,566 workers died from injuries in the oil and gas drilling industry and related fields in the United States. The upstream portion of the industry, including exploration and production, exposes workers to dangerous machinery, explosive gases, and cancer-causing chemicals. Texas, the Permian Basin, and the Anadarko Basin have been identified as areas with high rates of oil-industry-related deaths. The CDC and researchers are calling for more data, oversight, and safety regulations to protect workers in the oil and gas extraction industry.

Strategies to reduce air pollution from oil and gas

Oil and gas production has severe adverse effects on air quality, human health, and health costs. Oil and gas activities emit many greenhouse gases, mainly methane, and are the largest industrial source of methane emissions. Other harmful gases emitted include nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions contribute to the formation of harmful ozone in the lower atmosphere.

• Leak detection and control: Implementing new technologies for leak detection and control can help reduce air pollution and minimize environmental impacts. This includes monitoring emissions in all production areas of oil and gas facilities, not just at specific points.
• Process control systems: Setting up process control systems can help reduce downtime, maintenance costs, and processing times while increasing resource efficiency and emission control.
• Reducing methane emissions: As methane is a significant greenhouse gas, focusing on reducing methane leaks and emissions from compressor stations can have a substantial impact on overall emission reduction.
• Clean technologies: Adopting clean technologies can reduce industrial smokestack emissions and improve waste management. For example, capturing methane gas emitted from waste sites and using it as biogas instead of incinerating it.
• Energy transition: Phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy sources, such as renewable and combustion-free power sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, can significantly reduce air pollution.
• Transportation: Prioritizing cleaner modes of transportation, such as electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles, and improving fuel efficiency can help reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
• Urban planning: Making cities more energy efficient by improving the energy efficiency of buildings and increasing green spaces can contribute to reducing air pollution.
• Regulatory action: Comprehensive regulatory action is necessary to protect people from the harmful pollutants generated by the oil and gas sector. This includes state regulations addressing precursor emissions, such as NO2, which can help mitigate health issues like childhood asthma.

Frequently asked questions