Natural Gas, Methane and Nitrogen Oxides

I didn’t realize that natural gas is mostly methane which is about 84 times worse for climate change compared to CO2.

As reported in the recently published study “Methane and NO_x Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes,” methane leaks are bad news for both environmental and personal health. (Lebel, et al, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2022, 56, 4, 2529–2539)

The abstract in the Lebel article states:

• Natural gas stoves in >40 million U.S. residences release methane (CH₄) ─a potent greenhouse gas, through post-meter leaks and incomplete combustion.
• Using a 20-year timeframe for methane, annual methane emissions from all gas stoves in U.S. homes have a climate impact comparable to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of 500,000 cars.
• In addition to methane emissions, co-emitted health-damaging air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NO_x) are released into home air and can trigger respiratory diseases.
• Our data suggest that families who don’t use their range hoods or who have poor ventilation can surpass the one hour national standard of NO₂ (100 ppb) within a few minutes of stove usage, particularly in smaller kitchens.