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Fugitive emissions, released through leaks, spills and evaporation, can cause pollution, financial loss, and pose immediate threats to human health and safety. Governments have plans to monitor and manage them, and techniques such as leak detectors and better handling practices can reduce their impact.
Fugitive emissions are emissions that are released through events such as leaks, spills and evaporation. Historically, they were often not monitored, with emissions tracking and monitoring focused on the emissions generated during combustion. Today, numerous governments have plans in place to monitor and manage fugitive emissions, and some have identified specific areas that need improvement with the goal of reducing overall emissions.
A number of problems can be presented with fugitive emissions. One of the most obvious is pollution. Because fugitive emissions are often released in environments that lack filters and other controls, harmful pollutants are released freely into the air. These pollutants can threaten human or environmental health and contribute to the degradation of the earth’s atmosphere. Some fugitive emissions have also been reported in global warming, making them of interest to international groups concerned about climate change.
Additionally, the loss of substances through fugitive emissions can create financial loss. While a single small leak or spill might not seem like a problem, when replicated across a country, it actually represents a substantial financial loss. When materials like fuels are lost before being burned through leakage and evaporation, people don’t get the value out of the fuel. For large fuel handling companies, loss of fuel prior to delivery through fugitive emissions can be very costly over time.
Another problem with these types of emissions is the immediate threats to human health and safety. Fugitive emissions of hazardous toxins or flammable gases can endanger people in the area who could become ill if inhaled, and can also pose a fire hazard. They can also endanger communities if they occur over an extended period of time. For example, neighborhoods around fuel depots and shipyards can have dangerous levels of fuel in the air and soil from fugitive emissions at nearby facilities.
There are a number of techniques that can be used to identify, manage and control fugitive emissions in the interest of health and safety. Leak detectors are helpful in identifying them when they occur, while better seals, regular inspections for leaks, and different handling practices can reduce the volume of materials released. For example, many gas stations use vapor trapping nozzles on their pumps so that gasoline fumes aren’t released into the environment as people pump gas. This reduces environmental problems, reduces fire risk and keeps odors down.
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