Methane Emissions, Air Quality Impacts and Human Health Risks in Europe

This project offers a unique opportunity to advance the science-policy dialogue on the air quality and health risks of methane and natural gas in Europe and globally. PSE holds the first public dataset characterizing gas composition from multiple European regions, revealing benzene concentrations in natural gas pipelines up to 50 times higher than levels in some North American cities. These findings will inform the health and air quality impacts of natural gas leakage in Europe. Building on PSE's North American research, which has driven scientific and policy shifts, similar outcomes are anticipated in Europe given the elevated benzene levels. We will analyze gas mole fractions, including benzene and sulfur-based odorants, from 78 residential natural gas samples across seven European cities, along with isotopic δ13CCH4 signatures to inform methane emissions studies. A spatial analysis will assess source differences, and steady-state methane leakage rates for 50 homes will be modeled. Combining leakage rates with benzene data, we will predict benzene enhancements using CONTAM, a building air model, across various ventilation and building designs.