Gasping for Breath

Pollutants from the oil and gas supply chain contribute to the formation of ozone smog pollution, blanketing the U.S. in the warmer months. VOCs and methane vented and leaked from the oil and gas supply chain and nitrogen oxides (NOx) formed by gas flaring and engines at natural gas facilities, react together in the presence of sunlight to form ozone smog. Methane pollution from oil and gas facilities also worsens climate change, resulting in hotter weather and stagnant air. These warmer conditions in turn worsen ozone smog levels.

For the first time, this report, based on independent analysis by researchers at Colorado State University, quantifies health impacts in the U.S. from ozone smog produced by the pollution from the oil and gas industry.