Industrial Sources Influence Air Concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfur Dioxide in Rural Areas of Western Canada

Abstract

A survey of monthly average concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at rural locations in western Canada (provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan) was conducted in 2001– 2002, as part of an epidemiological study of the effects of oil and gas industry emissions on the health of cattle. Repeated measurements were obtained at some months and locations. We aimed to develop statistical models of the effect of oil and gas infrastructure on air concentrations. The regulatory authorities supplied the information on location of the different oil and gas facilities during the study period and, for Alberta, provided data on H₂S content of wells and flaring volumes. Linear mixed effects models were used to relate observed concentrations to proximity and type of oil and gas infrastructure. Low concentrations were recorded; the monthly geometric mean was 0.1–0.2 ppb for H₂S, and 0.3–1.3 ppb for SO₂. Substantial variability between repeated measurements was observed. The precision of the measurement method was 0.005 ppb for both contaminants. There were seasonal trends in the concentrations, but the spatial variability was greater. This was explained, in part, by proximity to oil/gas/bitumen wells and (for SO₂) gas plants. Wells within 2 km of monitoring stations had the greatest impact on measured concentrations. For H₂S, 8% of between-location variability was explained by proximity to industrial sources of emissions; for SO₂ this proportion was 18%. In Alberta, proximity to sour gas wells and flares was associated with elevated H₂S concentrations; however, the estimate of the effect of sour gas wells in the immediate vicinity of monitoring stations was unstable. Our study was unable to control for all possible sources of the contaminants. However, the results suggest that oil and gas extraction activities contribute to air pollution in rural areas of western Canada.