Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) is often entrained in methane gas and escape in the same path out of sources like abandoned wellheads (estimated to be over three million in the US alone). These emissions in the US are estimated to be as much as seven million metric tons per year.
VOC emissions from petroleum refineries and chemical industrial plants are mostly caused by leaky equipment, such as valves, pumps, compressors, and connections. VOCs can be hazardous to workers and also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a key component of smog.
This lack of contaminant has been linked to the development or aggravation of respiratory illness, especially in youngsters and the elderly. Along with plant employees, the surrounding population is significantly impacted by long-term exposure to hazardous air pollutants caused by leaky or abandoned equipment.
Leaking VOCs will also result in increased operating expenses as a dire consequence of the loss of valuable resources. The US EPA requires the use of portable VOC detection instruments to detect VOC leakage from process equipment.
