natural gas leak health effects

How Dangerous is a Gas Leak? - Squeaks Plumbing & HeatingWhat symptoms can a cause of gas leakage? How to know if there is a gas leak Many houses use natural gas for heat, hot water and appliances. Natural gas has no smell, which means a small leak would be impossible to detect. A sound of silence is not always present either. That's why your service company adds mercaptan, an harmless chemical, to the gas. Mercaptan smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, to help you identify gas leaks. But you can't smell anything if the leak is too small. Evacuate the area immediately if you experience the following: If you suspect a gas leak prevents you from touching appliances or lighting anything that can cause a spark or fire. Instead, get out of the building, leave the door open and head to a secure location. Here you can call 911, your local fire department, or gas company to report the leak. Gas leaks change the amount of oxygen available. While breathing less oxygen, you can start developing symptoms. If you or others in your family experience sudden and inexplicable symptoms, there might be a gas leak in your home. Here are the symptoms you should look for: You can see the same symptoms in your pets if there is a gas leak. Extreme or high levels of exposure can also cause unconsciousness or death. Other air pollutants may cause symptoms similar to those of gas leak poisoning. If there are no gas leaks, check out other indoor air pollutants like or mold. Incompletely burned gas can release carbon monoxide, another dangerous gas that can affect your health. If you use natural gas for heating or hot water, be sure to install a carbon monoxide detector at home. Includes: If the exposure continues, the skin becomes pink and bright red lips. In case of severe poisoning, the skin of the whole body becomes red. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. Note your symptoms when you leave the house or move between the rooms. If you notice that headaches reappear after returning home, you are likely to treat with a gas leak or other type of air contaminant. For mild gas odor, open the windows, make sure the pilot lights are off, and call your gas company. They will advise you in the next steps. You can also turn off the gas meter if you know how. For the strong smell of gas or situations that cause symptoms, leave your home or leave the area immediately. The gas is extremely volatile. If you've had a leak in your home for a while, there's a higher risk of explosion. Call the emergency number for your public service company. But divert the call from the area of suspected gas leakage. Phones can create sparks, which can turn on the gas. Also, head to the emergency room or call an ambulance if your symptoms are severe. Have a certified inspector visit your home immediately if you notice being extra tired without a lifestyle or medical reason. What to Don't DoIf a leak is detected (usually for a purpose adjusted to detect), you will also have to have other gas burnt appliances, pipe valves and other inspected operating controls. What to do is, a house inspector will warn you when it's safe to come back. Even if the leak was only inside, you should also have someone inspecting the external pipelines. Leads that occur outside your home are equally dangerous. Health Effects Although exposure to low levels of natural gas is not harmful, long-term exposure can affect your health. The natural gas burning produces nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and methane. These chemicals can cause respiratory problems, depression and decrease the quality of their health. Talk to your doctor if you think the gas leak is affecting your health. Leads can occur from the controls during the installation of the gas line, or may be the consequence of the old pipelines and appliances. Let your appliances and pipes be inspected annually. The service is usually free of charge. One thing you need to do if the use of gas is to educate yourself and your family about the safety of natural gas. Remember what to look for in case of leakage or if someone experiences symptoms of gas poisoning. While natural gas leaks are rare, they can occur both inside and outside your home. If you use gas burning appliances or use natural gas for heating, make sure you have annual inspections. Gas leaks, though dangerous, are preventable. Last medical review on February 22, 2017Read this following

How to recognize a gas leak When installed and used correctly, natural gas is safe and convenient. But gas leaks may occur. These leaks can lead to physical symptoms and, in some cases, gas can cause carbon monoxide poisoning in people and animals. According to , more than 73 million residential, commercial and industrial premises in the United States use natural gas. It is highly flammable, and gas leaks increase the risk of fire and explosion. If people suspect a gas leak, it is essential that they evacuate the area immediately, and call 911, the local fire department, or the emergency line of the public service company. In this article, know the signs and symptoms of a gas leak and what to do if a gas leak occurs at home. Small gas leaks may not have smell or other physical signs. However, if there is a gas leak in the home, a person may notice: In addition, gas bills may be higher than normal, as the gas will escape from the gas lines or appliances to the house. A reduction in the amount of oxygen in the air causes symptoms of gas leakage. These may include: Pets may also experience symptoms in case of gas leakage. Pet owners should look for signs of: Very high gas levels can cause unconsciousness or even death in pets. Carbon monoxide poisoning (CO) can result in symptoms similar to those caused by a gas leak. Carbon monoxide is issued when the gas burns incompletely. Exposure to CO can be fatal and requires emergency medical treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), he died involuntarily in the United States between 1999 and 2010. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include: If there is a gas leak, it is vital to do the following: Symptoms of a gas leak in people and animals require medical treatment. In cases of severe symptoms, someone should call an ambulance or go directly to the hospital emergency department. If a gas leak is suspected but not confirmed, they must do the following: In case of gas leakage or suspected gas leakage, NEVER: A gas leak is usually confirmed by a certified inspector, using a device called an electronic gas analyzer. The inspector will also review external appliances and gas lines for faults and leaks. Once the leak has been found and repaired, it is essential: The symptoms of a gas leak do not usually affect health if the exposure was low and the leak was quickly aborted. However, long-term exposure may result in physical symptoms that persist, such as: Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor after a gas leak has occurred, especially if a person observes long-term effects. Symptoms can improve or resolve with proper treatment. Most gas leaks are preventable by taking the following steps: Stay educated People should learn about symptoms and signs of gas leakage and remember to teach family members and children about natural gas safety. Everyone in the house should know what to do if a gas leak is suspected or confirmed. Periodic Inspection Table Ensure that all gaseous and gas pipeline devices are inspected every year by a certified inspector. This service is usually free of charge. A certified professional should also inspect ovens, fireplaces, flu and ventilation. Ensure adequate ventilation Areas around gas burning devices and gas equipment must be kept unhindered. This is to prevent natural gas from being built in these areas. It is also useful and healthy for air regularly outside the house. Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors These devices look like smoke alarms and emit a strong sound if carbon monoxide is detected. There must be a detector on every floor of the house and in all bedrooms. Keep a fire extinguisher on the site Gas leaks are highly flammable, and natural gas can be lit by a spark or even by making phone calls. Quickly react to home fires at least one multipurpose fire extinguisher on the site. Chemical storage All flammable materials and domestic chemicals, such as cleaning supplies and paints, should be stored away from gas appliances and gas lines. Natural gas leaks cause physical signs and symptoms in both people and animals. Although these leaks are rare, continuous exposure to natural gas can be dangerous and have lasting effects. It is essential that people be educated about the safety of natural gas and be aware of the signs of gas leakage and carbon monoxide poisoning. Many measures can be taken to prevent gas leaks and their complications, including the annual schedule of inspections and installation of carbon monoxide detectors. Last medical review on March 21, 2018Most recent newsRelated coverage

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