Air Emissions: Fewer Impacts on Local Air Quality than Other Fossil Fuels

As the cleanest burning fossil fuel, natural gas offers an immediate, cost-effective means to improve air quality. Unlike coal and oil, it releases virtually no particulate matter, which impedes photosynthesis in plants and aggravates heart and lung disease in humans. Particulate matter is also a contributor to smog.

The production and combustion of fossil fuels also generates nitrogen and sulphur oxide emissions. Nitrogen oxides result in various environmental impacts – including smog and acid rain. Sulphur oxides are also a primary contributor to acid rain.

In stressed urban airsheds, where most natural gas is consumed for residential and industrial purposes, combustion of natural gas can have a positive impact on local air quality because it creates fewer air emissions (Figure 5.1). Nonetheless, addressing the issue of air quality has become a priority concern for the natural gas industry.

Figure 5.1: Comparison of Air Pollution from the Combustion of Fossil Fuels (kilograms of emission per TJ of energy consumed)

	< Natural Gas	< Oil	< Coal
Nitrogen Oxides	< 43	< 142	< 359
Sulphur Dioxide	< 0.3	< 430	< 731
Particulates	< 2	< 36	< 1 333

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; American Gas Association

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