In the Media

The Toxic Benzene Found in Tested North American Natural Gas Samples is Responsible for Cancer Rates that Make up 97% of the SamplesSebastian Rowland, the lead author and lead scientist from PSE Healthy Energy, stated that smaller leaks are not typically toxic, but they pose a challenge in detecting and repairing, which can result in a persistent indoor source of benzene and methane.

Study finds California sitting on 8 GW gold mine with resilience hubsResearchers at PSE Healthy Energy explored reliable ways to keep resilience hubs powered on. They found that fossil fuel generators have significant drawbacks and then looked into solar plus energy storage as a more reliable solution. The research team led by Patrick Murphy, senior scientist at PSE Health Energy, explored whether fossil fuel would make the hub resilient in power supply.

California’s Solar-Powered ‘Resilience Hubs’ Could Generate 8GW, Slash Carbon EmissionsThe demand for these hubs is skyrocketing. Senior scientist Patrick Murphy notes, “Demand for resilience hubs remains high. California’s Strategic Growth Council awarded 11 grants for resilience hubs in February 2024, but more than 100 communities requested funding.”

Just how bad are gas appliances for your health?“Even when your stove’s off,” Rowland said, ​“it could be exposing you to a chronic low level of benzene without you ever becoming aware of it.”

The health impact of living near a fossil gas leakAt PSE Healthy Energy, Shonkoff's team have also been aiding this mapping effort by collecting natural gas samples from pipeline systems throughout the world and measuring their toxicity. Later this year, they will roll-out a Methane Risk Map. This interactive, online resource will show the various compositions of natural gas in different locations, and so help people estimate their exposure to toxic leaks, Shonkoff explains.

WV leaders defend use of gas stove after health-risk reportEvidence is mounting that there's an environmental health risk looming in many West Virginians' kitchens. That potential risk is gas stoves, but West Virginia leaders have defended them despite the potential hazards the appliances pose.

You May Not Be Able to Smell Your Gas Stove Leaking, New Data Shows"While these smaller leaks are not large enough to cause gas explosions, hard-to-smell leaks are common," Rowland said. "The fact that they are so small makes them hard to identify and fix, which can lead to a persistent indoor source of benzene and methane."

People with gas & propane stoves breathe more harmful pollutionBeyond asthma cases, the long-term exposure to NO2 in American households with gas stoves is high enough to cause thousands of deaths each year – possibly as many as 19,000 or 40% of the number of deaths linked annually to secondhand smoke.

Study: Gas stoves can leak contaminants that are hard to detect“Benzene is a carcinogen. The WHO says there’s no safe level, so any increase in exposure is going to increase your risk,” Rowland said of the World Health Organization’s advisories on benzene. Rowland said that those with a diminished sense of smell are at an increased risk. “Older Americans (would) be at risk of a much larger leak without knowing it,” he said.

Massive potential lithium source found in PennsylvaniaFor lithium extraction, just as for fracking, there needs to be careful assessment of the climate, health, water quality, and other environmental tradeoffs, Shonkoff says.

New study confirms presence of benzene in natural gas and potential for undetectable indoor leaks"While these smaller leaks are not large enough to cause gas explosions, hard-to-smell leaks are common," said lead author and PSE Healthy Energy Scientist Sebastian Rowland.

A tiny California town is set to be home to a controversial hydrogen experiment—and not everyone is happy about itBlending hydrogen into gas lines has “marginal climate benefits while introducing high risks at the same time,” said Bethany Kwoka, a scientist at PSE Healthy Energy, a scientific research institute, who worked on a report examining California’s hydrogen policies.