According to data published by the US Energy Information Administration in 2016, about 27.49 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas was used by the country’s electric power, industrial, commercial and transportation sectors. The residential sector accounted for about 16% of US natural gas consumption to heat buildings and water, to cook and to dry clothes, in the same year.
But, there is a serious risk associated with the use of natural gas in homes, which is gas leaks, since this can lead to explosions, says an expert plumber in Wilmette from Mikes Chicago Plumbing.
More than one in five of the 15,000 active underground natural gas storage wells in the US are at risk of serious leaks due to obsolete well designs. The design of these wells are similar to that of Alison Canyon gas storage facility in California, that in 2015-16 had leaked for about four months, according to a study conducted by Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, and published in Environmental Research Letters on May 24, 2017.
Risk of Gas Leaks in US Homes
According to statistics released in a report by the Center for American Progress (CAP), published in The Atlantic on July 25, 2016, a majority of around 135 million homes in America pose threats to their residents. Other than damaged plumbing, structural problems, lead paint and poor heating, the risk of gas leaks is one of the serious threats to these homes.
In the US, natural gas is used in many homes for cooking and heating. Things can turn dangerous in these homes when the homeowner does not realize that there could be a gas leak. Not all people have the same level of sensitivity towards natural gas, which is why it is important to have the number of a good plumbing service, such as that offered in Wilmette, handy.
Physical Symptoms of a Gas Leak
When there is a gas leak in the house, you might experience a few sudden and unexplained physical signs. The reason for this is that a person develops certain physical symptoms, since gas leaks change the amount of oxygen available for the person to breathe. Some of the most common symptoms include headache, breathing problems, dizziness, nausea, eye and throat irritation and fatigue. You might also experience pale skin or blisters, in case your skin comes in contact with compressed or liquid gas.
When the person is exposed to extremely high levels of gas, it can cause unconsciousness and even death. Be careful with pets, who are also prone to similar symptoms during a gas leak. You should contact a 24 hour plumber, such as those in Wilmette, Chicago, in order to get the gas leaks located and repaired.
How to Detect Gas Leaks
You should know that natural gas does not have any smell. This makes it really hard to detect a leak. Even when there is leaks, there is no hissing sound. However, gas companies around the world add mercaptan to the gas so that any leaks can be easily detected. Mercaptan is a harmless gas that smells like rotten eggs or sulphur, and can be easily perceived.
Emergency plumbing service providers in Wilmette recommend that you should avoid touching electrical appliances, turning on anything that may cause a spark or fire and evacuate your home or the area if you smell sulphur or see a damaged gas line.
Article Submitted By Community Writer