All the Ways a Gas Leak Can Affect Our Health and Put Us in Danger
May 6, 2019
Natural Gas Leak Signs and Symptoms
According to ACS Publications, 17 people die from gas leaks every year and the deathly explosions they cause. That’s not all - an even larger number of people fall sick because of the constant exposure to leaking natural gas. Even as we speak, many people might be suffering from the minor or severe symptoms of natural gas leak exposure, and not know about it. It is one of the many reasons why our foremost priority should always be gas line repair in Houston, Katy, Rosenberg, and beyond. Here are some gas leak symptoms you should keep an eye on.
Slow Gas Leak Symptoms include:
- Abdominal Pain
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Chest Pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of Muscle Control
- Pink Skin
- Bright Red Lips
Gas Leak Repair, Detection, and Prevention
Health and life loss aren’t the only side effect of a leaking gas pipeline; financial loss is just as damaging. A large number of people in the US lose their homes to fires and explosions from the gas. Even simple gas leakage requires gas line repair in Richmond, and that alone can result in costly expenditure. The reason behind pointing out all these horrific realities was to bring to notice that gas leakage shouldn’t be taken lightly and the residents must understand the importance of timely inspection and pronto gas line repair in Richmond. If you see gas leak symptoms in your home, give us a call today.
Understanding Natural Gas Leak Symptoms
Natural gas is the one we are most closely exposed to. This gas is used for heating our homes, for lightening our stoves, and for running appliances such as water heaters. This gas is made of a hydrocarbon called methane, unofficially known as marsh gas or swamp gas. Methane is a naturally occurring gas that occurs in the earth’s crust and is also sometimes formed by the decaying of organic matters like sewage or manure. As useful as this gas is, the feature that makes this gas dangerous is its odorless and colorless nature, which makes it a silent killer. However, to thwart off that threat, mercaptans are added to natural gas, which gives it a rotten egg smell and makes it detectable when leaking. Make sure to only trust the utmost professionalism with your gas line repair in Richmond.
What Causes Natural Gas to Leak?
Most of the time, the gas leakage is caused by a change that somehow affects the gas lines. Something as trivial as moving a gas clothes dryer for any purpose whatsoever can damage the gas pipe. Gas lines which are flexible are prone to crimping and leaking, others made from unsuitable, low-grade material also become brittle quickly and corrode away, causing a severe leak. Many times, an installation by unprofessional also causes gas leaks. This is why we are always advising to only trust the most experienced, professional, and licensed plumbers for installation and gas line repair in Richmond.
The regular inspection of the gas line is just as important since the ones embedded under concrete are easily breakable because of the moving, shifting soil as well as the corrosion. These types of gas lines are very likely to explode under the ground. Gas leaks also occur during natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, mudslides, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From Natural Gas
Carbon monoxide is released when gas burns incompletely. The symptoms are the same as exposure to gas leakage. Exposure to carbon monoxide is so fatal that anyone who inhales it requires immediate medical attention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 5149 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning between 1999 and 2010. To avoid this catastrophe, make sure to use your gas stoves exactly as instructed and never use them to heat your home. The same goes for portable gas stoves, which are to be used outdoors only and not indoors. When running the space-heaters, make sure someone is awake to monitor them. Many families die in their sleep due to carbon monoxide poisoning overnight. Another precaution to take is to never run your generators in enclosed spaces. Always, always make sure to call professionals for gas line repair in Richmond.
Natural Gas is a Fire Hazard
Another very important reason to call a professional for gas line repair in Rosenberg is the risk of fire it poses. When gas leak symptoms go ignored longer than they should, the gas builds up and something as minuscule as an oven burner can burst the entire house into flames. That’s not all, a gas leak fire also causes other gas-run appliances to explode such as clothes dryers, water heaters, stoves, and fireplaces.
Natural Gas Impact on Skin
Continuous exposure to leaked gas can cause affect skin health and result in frostbites, pale and blanched appearance, blisters, and numbness. If you notice these symptoms, call the professionals for Inspection and gas line repair in Houston and visit your healthcare as soon as possible.
Natural Gas Inhalation Signs and Symptoms
Inhaling leaked gas in an indoor space, such as your home can result in a lack of oxygen in the air and lead to hypoxia. That can, in turn, lead to severe headaches, fatigue, decreased vision, short breaths, and even loss of consciousness. Keep a keen eye on your gas lines, and call professionals for gas line repair in Richmond at the slightest suspicion.
If you do detect a gas leakage at your house, do not panic. Calmly evacuate the area and contact our team for thorough inspection and gas line repair in Richmond.