Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air Pollution.

Exposure pathways to the carcinogen benzene are well-established from tobacco smoke, oil and gas development, refining, gasoline pumping, and gasoline and diesel combustion. Combustion has also been linked to the formation of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde indoors from gas stoves. To our knowledge, however, no research has quantified the formation of benzene indoors from gas combustion by stoves.

Methane and NO Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes.

Natural gas stoves in >40 million U.S. residences release methane (CH)─a potent greenhouse gas─through post-meter leaks and incomplete combustion.

Low-intensity frequent fires in coniferous forests transform soil organic matter in ways that may offset ecosystem carbon losses.

The impact of shifting disturbance regimes on soil carbon (C) storage is a key uncertainty in global change research. Wildfires in coniferous forests are becoming more frequent in many regions, potentially causing large C emissions. Repeated low-intensity prescribed fires can mitigate wildfire severity, but repeated combustion may decrease soil C unless compensatory responses stabilize soil organic matter.

Quantifying Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Water Heaters.

Methane emissions from natural gas appliances remain the least characterized portion of the fossil-fuel supply chain. Here we examine water heaters from 64 northern California homes to (1) quantify methane emissions from natural gas leaks and incomplete combustion while off, turning on or off, and in steady-state operation from 35 homes; and (2) characterize daily usage patterns over ∼1-2 months per water heater to estimate activity factors from 46 homes. Individual tankless water heaters emitted 2390 [95% CI: 2250, 2540] g CH yr on average, 0.