Methane is the primary component of biogas and natural gas which is used as a major source of fuel in the UK, both industrially and domestically. It is colourless and odourless, but is highly flammable, making it ideal for use in the home setting as well as in commercial operations. This naturally occurring gas is found at relatively low levels in the Earth’s atmosphere, and exposure to these background levels is not harmful to human health and the environment. Show
Industrially, methane is used in the production of agricultural fertilisers, petrochemical refinement, and in the production of plastics. Landfills and waste management systems are also sources of methane gas which is usually captured and used to provide heating and to produce electricity. Environmental risksWhile it is a common and useful gas which is generally considered safe for a range of applications, the use of methane is not without its risks, the most impactful of which is on the environment. While carbon might be the most notorious and widely produced greenhouse gas, methane is the second most problematic. Methane emissions generally occur at much lower levels than carbon dioxide, but the methane molecule is 25 times more effective at trapping heat within Earth’s atmosphere. Methane is highly soluble in water, so it can easily leach from industrial sources or from natural reservoirs such as permafrost and underground deposits. Once leached, it evaporates from the water or soil surface and into the atmosphere where it absorbs solar radiation and contributes to the heating effect. The gas is also produced in vast quantities by livestock and also by bacterial activity during the decomposition of waste materials. Whatever the source, the environmental effects of methane remain the same. Many industrial and commercial operations are placing a higher importance on responsible management of methane. Often these measures involve capturing methane to be used as a combustible fuel. Despite the effects of unburned methane on the environment, it does burn very cleanly, producing far lower levels of carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels do. Read more on how to measure methane emissions. Health and safety risks of methaneOne often overlooked risk of methane is that it does occur within water plumbing systems and can cause dangerous build ups. Methane is highly combustible, and when it is allowed to accumulate under pressure in water supply systems the results can be explosive. Water authorities must monitor the levels of methane found throughout their systems to avoid this risk from becoming a real danger. Explosive combustion of methane can also take place if an undetected leak is allowed to fill a space with methane. If leaks go unnoticed for a length of time, it often takes only the smallest source of ignition to cause catastrophic damage to industrial infrastructure and also pose a serious danger to staff. Explosions are not limited to the areas with the highest concentrations. If the gas has leached into surrounding rooms or structures then they are at risk of fire damage too. As well as a potential to cause extreme explosive events, methane exposure can pose a health risk to people and animals if concentrations are high enough. While methane is technically non toxic and is not a risk to life at low levels, it does displace oxygen and can lead to asphyxiation. This is a particular risk when teams are working in enclosed spaces where a gas leak or leaching gas has not been detected. In humans, the symptoms of exposure to high levels of methane include nausea, headaches, shortness of breath, chest pain, slurred speech, memory loss, and impaired judgement. Unfortunately, these symptoms can go unnoticed for some time before action is taken, leading to serious injury and sometimes death. It is also important to consider dangers that arise from handling methane. As a gas, methane is relatively easy to handle with appropriate containment. When released from a pressurised gaseous state, methane reaches temperatures low enough to cause frostbite, and these injuries affect the hands fairly frequently when appropriate precautions are not taken. Detecting and monitoring methane levelsNatural gas leak detection and monitoring of ambient methane levels helps to reduce the frequency of methane related incidents dramatically. Properly calibrated sensors with alarm systems should be used throughout the system take a look at our range of gas analysers and gas detectors for more information. In its natural form, methane gas has no color or odor. This makes methane gas exposure particularly concerning, because you might not even realize it's occurring until it reaches the point of methane poisoning. Is methane gas dangerous? Potentially. But how likely are you to encounter it? What are the symptoms of methane poisoning? And is methane bad for the environment? Is Methane Gas Dangerous?Methane gas exposure can cause health problems under a few specific circumstances. You face the greatest danger when exposed to concentrated quantities of the gas, or if you've been exposed for extended periods of time. The term methane poisoning is a bit of a misnomer. Is methane toxic? Not quite – instead, it acts as an asphyxiant, depriving your body of much-needed oxygen. Methane Poisoning SymptomsIf you think you or your family might have been exposed to methane gas or even have methane gas poisoning, you might experience the following symptoms:
What to Do if You Think You Have Methane PoisoningIf you think you or a family member might have methane poisoning or could be exposed to dangerous levels of methane gas, you should first assess their symptoms. Immediately move the person or assist them in moving to an open, well-ventilated area to get as much oxygen as possible. Once you've moved them to a safe location, seek immediate professional medical assistance and alert any necessary authorities to test the area for gas leaks. Is Methane Bad for the Environment?Methane doesn't just adversely impact human health, it also poses a danger to the environment. Methane is one of several greenhouse gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect that causes global warming and climate change. Greenhouse gases effectively create a layer of insulation in the atmosphere. That insulation allows heat to enter the planet's atmosphere, but reflects the rays back towards the earth rather than letting them escape again. This increases the overall global temperature. Methane is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide. Approximately 80% of greenhouse gases come from carbon dioxide emissions, 10% from methane and the remaining 10% from various other sources. Where Does Methane Gas Come From?Several different human activities produce methane gas. When companies produce oil, coal and natural gas, those production gases create and release methane as a byproduct. Livestock and farming also produce large quantities of methane gas, with cow flatulence famously causing large volumes of methane emissions. In reality, much of the methane emissions resulting from cattle come from belches during the process of chewing cud. Cattle account for approximately 4% of greenhouses gases through their emissions. This comes in large part from companies streamlining and increasing efficiency in cattle production. In the 1970s companies had to produce approximately 140 million head of cattle to meet demand. Nowadays, companies produce just 90 million head of cattle, and that amount results in more meat than was produced in the 1970s. How Reducing Methane Emissions Can Help the EnvironmentIs methane bad for the environment? Yes. Is it the worst form of pollution? Not exactly. But researchers believe that cutting methane emissions could drastically improve global climate change in a surprisingly cost-effective way. Methane does not last nearly as long as carbon dioxide does in the atmosphere, but it traps much more heat than carbon dioxide does. This means that reducing methane emissions can prove extremely effective in reducing the greenhouse effect quickly. Related ArticlesWhat Are the Dangers of CO2 Gas?Harmful Effects of Chlorine GasHow to Detect Methane GasHazards of Sodium CarbonateWhat Is Oleoresin Capsicum?Dangers of ArgonHow to Make CO2How to Compress Methane Gas to LiquidWhat Are the Gases That Affect the Ozone Layer?Toxicity of Household BleachShort Term Effects of Air PollutionWhat Elements Makeup the Earth's Atmosphere?What Effects do Chlorofluorocarbons Have on Humans?How to Find Partial PressuresCan a Propane Tank Explode?How to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Your Lawn...How Does the Flu Shot Really Work?How Do CFCs Damage the Ozone Layer?How to Solve the Oxidation State of CH4Update on the Vaping Crisis That's Already Killed SixReferences
About the Author Marina Somma is a freelance writer and animal trainer. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Marine and Environmental Biology & Policy from Monmouth University. Marina has worked with a number of publications involving animal science, behavior and training, including animals.net, SmallDogsAcademy and more. Is methane gas harmful to humans?Methane is non-toxic and creates no hazard when inhaled in limited quantities; however, if large quantities of natural gas or methane is allowed to displace air, lack of oxygen may result in suffocation.
What are the signs of methane gas poisoning?Symptoms of headache, nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness may indicate exposure to an odorless gas like methane or carbon monoxide, or to hydrogen sulfide, which smells of rotten eggs. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
What diseases does methane cause?Inhalation: No information available Contact with liquefied gas can cause frostbite Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, loss of coordination, increased breathing rate and loss of consciousness (ASPHYXIANT) Remove the person from exposure.
How do you get methane poisoning?Risks of Methane Gas Poisoning Exposure. Methane exposure, particularly when experienced in high concentrations, can lead to methane poisoning. While it is considered relatively non-toxic, its primary threat is that it functions as an asphyxiant, similar to the threat posed by carbon monoxide exposure.
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