title: Geothermal Gases--Community Experiences, Perceptions, and Exposures in Northern California.
abstract: Lake County, California, is in a high geothermal-activity area. Over the past 30 years, the city of Clearlake has reported health effects and building evacuations related to geothermal venting. Previous investigations in Clearlake revealed hydrogen sulfide at levels known to cause health effects and methane at levels that can cause explosion risks. The authors conducted an investigation in multiple cities and towns in Lake County to understand better the risk of geothermal venting to the community. They conducted household surveys and outdoor air sampling of hydrogen sulfide and methane and found community members were aware of geothermal venting and some expressed concerns. The authors did not, however, find hydrogen sulfide above the California Environmental Protection Agency air quality standard of 30 parts per billion over one hour or methane above explosive thresholds. The authors recommend improving risk communication, continuing to monitor geothermal gas effects on the community, and using community reports and complaints to monitor and document geothermal venting incidents.
authors.forename: Cindy H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lozier
authors.forename: Tesfaye
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bayleyegn
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tait
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barreau
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Copan
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roisman
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smorodinsky
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kreutzer
authors.forename: Fuyuen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolkin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis*; D059207:Geothermal Energy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D008697:Methane; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide