Part 2/12:
The Environmental and Health Hazards
Methane leaks, particularly from superemitters like some orphaned wells, are alarming because methane is over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period in trapping heat. These wells also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been linked to carcinogenic effects and other health problems. Hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas released from some abandoned wells, can be deadly even at low concentrations, posing immediate risks to nearby communities.