Occupational and Indoor Methane Exposure Risks in Puerto Rico

Methane is a colorless, odorless and extremely flammable gas. In its gas form, it is an asphyxiant that in high concentrations may displace a person’s oxygen supply, especially in confined spaces. Decreased oxygen can cause suffocation and loss of consciousness. Exposure can also cause headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting and loss of coordination.
 
The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that human-related sources of methane include emissions from burning fossil fuels that can come from vehicles; fuel-burning equipment; operations on oil and gas fields; the processing, storage, and transport of natural gas; and the generation of electricity at coal-fired power plants. Hydraulic fracturing can also emit methane. 
 
Additional sources of methane include the decomposition of waste in open dumps and landfills. Methane can be emitted from the digestive processes of domesticated livestock, be produced during the decomposition of animal waste and be released through liquid manure management systems.  It can also be produced when manure is deposited on crop fields or pastures as fertilizer. Wastewater treatment processes can emit methane, as can some of the sludge produced.
 
“Virtually everyone is exposed to low levels of methane every day by simply breathing outdoor air,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “However, anyone working at or living by an oil or gas facility, farm, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, power plant or a facility that uses methane to manufacture other chemicals could be exposed to much higher levels that could create health and safety issues.”
 
To identify the presence of methane and other gases from occupational and indoor environments, Zimmetry Environmental offers comprehensive air quality testing services. Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about methane exposure concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/0JXpOEFGkBg
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their air quality, occupational, industrial hygiene, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail