Geothermal Gases—Community Experiences, Perceptions, and Exposures in Northern California

• Published in: Journal of environmental health Vol. 78; no. 5; pp. 14 - 21
• Main Authors: Chiu, Cindy H., Lozier, Matthew J., Bayleyegn, Tesfaye, Tait, Karen, Barreau, Tracy, Copan, Lori, Roisman, Rachel, Jackson, Rebecca, Smorodinsky, Svetlana, Kreutzer, Richard A., Yip, Fuyuen, Wolkin, Amy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Environmental Health Association 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Air Pollutants - analysis; Air quality; Air quality standards; Air sampling; Business consultants; California; Child; Child, Preschool; Cities; Communities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease control; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental protection; Explosions; Gases; Gases - analysis; Geothermal; Geothermal Energy; Health; Health aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Households; Humans; Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen Sulfide - analysis; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lakes; Management consultants; Methane; Methane - analysis; Middle Aged; Monitors; Outdoor air quality; Risk; Risk Assessment; Social aspects; Surveys; Young Adult; New Zealand; United States; California; United States > US; USA, California, Lake Cty; INE, USA, California
• ISSN: 0022-0892

Lake County, California, is in a high geothermal-activity area. Over the past 30 years, the city of Clearlake has reported health effects and building evacuations related to geothermal venting. Previous investigations in Clearlake revealed hydrogen sulfide at levels known to cause health effects and methane at levels that can cause explosion risks. The authors conducted an investigation in multiple cities and towns in Lake County to understand better the risk of geothermal venting to the community. They conducted household surveys and outdoor air sampling of hydrogen sulfide and methane and found community members were aware of geothermal venting and some expressed concerns. The authors did not, however, find hydrogen sulfide above the California Environmental Protection Agency air quality standard of 30 parts per billion over one hour or methane above explosive thresholds. The authors recommend improving risk communication, continuing to monitor geothermal gas effects on the community, and using community reports and complaints to monitor and document geothermal venting incidents.