Natural Gas Used to Heat Homes Contains Some Harmful Chemicals

A new study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found that several dangerous cancer-causing chemicals are present in natural gas. Researchers at Harvard collected natural gas from over 200 homes in the Boston area and discovered benzene in 95% of the samples. Benzene is a chemical found in gasoline and tobacco smoke. It is dangerous to humans and long-term exposure increases the risk of leukemia and various blood disorders. It has long been acknowledged that burning natural gas is bad for the climate, but more evidence is building that it has repercussions for public health.