10 Safety TALKING POINT Unreported gas fl aring endangering public health in Gulf, claims BBC
In a revealing investigation, the BBC has brought to light a critical environmental and public health issue in the Gulf region – illegal and unreported gas fl aring by major oil companies. This practice, involving the burning of excess natural gas during oil extraction, emits harmful pollutants, posing grave risks to both the environment and human health. The revelations come at a critical time as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prepares to host the UN’s COP28 climate summit, drawing attention to the stark contrast between environmental commitments and ongoing harmful practices.
Gas fl aring is a common practice in oil extraction, where excess natural gas is burned off. It’s considered wasteful and environmentally harmful, releasing a cocktail of carbon dioxide, methane, and black soot into the atmosphere. Not only does this contribute to global warming, but it also leads to air pollution with serious health implications.
Investigations have identifi ed millions of tons of undeclared emissions from gas fl aring in oil fi elds operated by giants like BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell. These emissions signifi cantly contribute to greenhouse gas levels, yet often go unreported due to loopholes and lax regulations in reporting standards. These practices are particularly prevalent in Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait, but they can be seen in the UAE, too, with the pollution spreading across the Gulf, impacting air quality over vast distances.
The human cost of gas fl aring is alarming. Communities near fl aring sites, particularly in Iraq, show increased incidence of cancer, particularly childhood leukemia. The burning of natural gas releases carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and naphthalene, leading to elevated levels of these toxins in
nearby populations. In Basra, Iraq, for instance, cancer cases have risen sharply, with a direct correlation to air pollution from gas fl aring.
This issue gains additional signifi cance in the light of the upcoming COP28 in the UAE. While the UAE banned routine fl aring two decades ago, satellite images and data analysis reveal continued fl aring activities. These fi ndings highlight a disconnect between the public environmental commitments of Gulf nations and their actual practices on the ground.
Oil companies, when confronted with these fi ndings, often point to industry-standard reporting methods, which only account for emissions from sites they directly operate. This loophole means emissions from non-operated sites go unreported, creating a signifi cant blind spot in environmental accountability. The World Bank’s pledge to end routine fl aring by 2030, which many of these companies have committed to, is thus undermined by these practices.
The issue of gas fl aring is mired in complex legal and regulatory frameworks. In many cases, the responsibility for declaring emissions is passed between the primary contractors and the operators, leading to a lack of accountability. While some countries like Norway have successfully regulated gas fl aring, others in the Gulf region lag behind, often due to the intertwined interests of national oil companies and government policies.
Capturing and utilizing the gas that is currently fl ared could offer signifi cant environmental and economic benefi ts. However, the initial investment required for this transition is substantial. The World Bank estimates the global cost for ending routine fl aring could reach $100 billion, though the
potential annual revenue from captured gas could be around $16 billion.
The challenge ahead is to reconcile economic interests with environmental and health imperatives. Countries in the Gulf region, particularly the UAE as the host of COP28, face increasing pressure to align their practices with their environmental commitments. The issue of gas fl aring serves as a litmus test for these nations’ dedication to genuine climate action.
As the eyes of the world turn to the UAE for COP28, the Gulf’s struggle with illegal gas fl aring underscores a broader challenge facing many oil-producing nations. Balancing economic benefi ts with environmental responsibilities is not just a regional issue but a global concern. The health implications for local communities and the broader impact on climate change demand urgent attention and action. The success of COP28 and future climate initiatives hinges on bridging the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that environmental commitments translate into tangible actions on the ground.
New, hands-free thermal imaging for fi refi ghter safety applications
Dräger has launched the UCF FireCore, a hands-free thermal imaging camera that displays live-action imagery into the Dräger FPS 7000 full face mask. The UCF FireCore gives fi refi ghters continuous vision in the low-visibility, high-risk, and unfamiliar environments that emergencies often present. With IP67 certifi cation, the UCF FireCore is resistant to water and dust, with lithium-ion batteries guaranteeing safety over long durations. The batteries can be charged easily both in the fi re vehicle, and at the fi re station, prior to being deployed.
The camera can be fi tted to any model, shape or size of helmet through a simple bracket, and is fully detachable, allowing fi refi ghters to extend their vision in diffi cult-to-reach areas, and around corners, to enhance situational awareness and spot risks before they present further hazards. When mounted, the viewing angle can be fully adjusted, providing fi refi ghters with the fl exibility to adapt to emergency situations in a matter of seconds.
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology enables the camera to connect to the FPS in-mask display, or transfer the UCF FireCore from one helmet to another. This helps emergency personnel to pass on life-saving technology from one task force to the other – even at the scene of an emergency. This is achieved by holding the thermal imaging camera in close proximity to the in-mask display, before mounting on the helmet.
Liz Milward, Marketing Manager, Emergency and Rescue Services at Dräger Safety UK, says that the release of the UCF FireCore will speed up search and rescue missions and improve fi refi ghter orientation in the most diffi cult conditions: “With fl ames, smoke and darkness impairing vision in high-risk environments, improving situational awareness and enhancing fi refi ghter orientation is critical if we are to protect the lives of fi refi ghters in the most dangerous environments.
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email: Oxygen gas sensor sent into space
Students from the Leibniz Unversity of Hannover were selected to send their experiment into space to the International Space Station ISS. The space shuttle was launched on March 15th, 2023 with the Glücksklee experiment and EC Sense’s oxygen sensor on board.
The goal of the experiment is to study the symbiosis between clover plants and rhizobia bacteria in microgravity. The symbiosis between the plant and the bacterium leads to self-fertilisation. Gravity normally plays a major role in plant growth. Therefore, the team will test self- fertilization and growth under space conditions.
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To this end, the plants will grow on the ISS and will be constantly monitored during this time with various sensors. Among other things, oxygen levels will be monitored with the TB200B-ES1-O2-25% gas sensor module from EC Sense.
The clover was chosen not only as a symbol of luck, but also because it belongs to the legume plant family, which also includes peas and lentils. These foods are rich in protein, which is necessary during long space missions, such as a mission to Mars, to provide astronauts with a source of nutrition.
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EC Sense take great pride in supporting the scientists of the future on such an important forward-looking topic! For More Info, email:
61153pr@reply-direct.com PIN ANNUAL BUYERS’ GUIDE 2024 email: For More Info, email:
61175pr@reply-direct.com
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