The Dangers of Natural Gas

The Dangers of Natural Gas
By  Roxanne Bedford-Curbow
http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net

December 14, 2002

Domestic natural gas has another danger besides explosion, being that it can poison humans and animals. Here is my story...

MY STORY
by Roxanne Bedford-Curbow

I began feeling ill the winter of 1999 and 2000. I started to worry when I wasn’t getting better. I was having strange "brain spells" which I later learned were seizures. I searched my home, vehicle and work vehicle for anything out of the ordinary and noticed a new small odor of gas additive near the furnace in the basement. I was relieved and called the gas company to repair the leak. The repairman did not bring a gas detector, only a carbon monoxide detector which read zero. I was told that it is normal to smell natural gas near the furnace and that I could not blame natural gas for my health problems because it is safe. Had he found the leak and repaired it, my life would be much different now. I was dumb to not listen to my gut which told me the gas was making me sick. Natural gas is poisonous. I had natural gas poisoning, not to be confused with carbon monoxide poisoning which is caused after the gas has burned in the flame.    

The Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) that say methane is non-poisonous, are wrong. (See URL below.) They further say that one must be removed from the toxic area. Toxic means poison. The gas company mailer is not giving the full facts and can, therefore, confuse customers which can result in death. There is no mention of natural gas poisoning in it. My symptoms were: pneumonia, vomiting upon waking, nausea, memory loss, extreme fatigue, headaches, weak gums and teeth, dizziness, bloating, intestinal cramping, flatulence, constipation, weight gain, loss of appetite, diminished menstrual cycles, itching in genitals, loss of libido, pain in extremities, low grade fever, cuts not healing, night sweats, hair loss, chest pain, heart pain, sinus pain, partial-seizures and one grand-mal seizure with loss of consciousness

Eight months passed by during which I made two more complaints regarding the gas odor. The rental maintenance company tested the pipes. Putting soap and water in a spray bottle and spraying the pipes is supposed to detect a leak but it did not work, possibly, because not enough soap was added or another reason. On the second testing, the soap fizzed and landed on the floor with a splat but I was still told that there was no leak. I was fearing that I could no longer avoid seeing a doctor and sad that I failed in curing myself. One evening after showering to take my children out, I felt a "spell" coming, which is called an "aura" in a seizure. I tried to stand and talk it away because I wanted it to end. Instead I had a grand-mal seizure, went unconscious, busting my lip and went to the ER after waking. Looking back, I wish I had never gone to the doctor because I left the hospital with the diagnosis of epilepsy, medication with horrible side effects and was sent back home to live with the leaking gas.  

The entire time I thought that the doctor had run tests for natural gas in my system because he said he would do that. It wasn’t until months later when I ordered my medical records that I saw nowhere in them did the doctor write about our discussion of the leaking gas or testing me for gas. I felt and still feel scammed as that doctor just wanted to make money off of me until I had my last breath of gas and my children would not have a mother, who also suffered symptoms and could have lost their lives as well.

I went into a deep depression while trying to absorb the fact that I had epilepsy. The medication was making my room spin which caused me to fall out of bed one morning and hurt myself. I called the Epilepsy Foundation to learn more about it. I learned that seizures can be caused by a loss of oxygen. My home was filling up with the gas odor and I thought we would die in our sleep if I didn’t do anything. I made another call to the gas company on October 8, 2000 and I yelled this time. The leak was found in the joint of the pipe running along the basement ceiling leading down to the furnace. Since the repair, my mind has been able to clear somewhat and I decided to purchase a computer to begin research on natural gas and human health. Natural gas is mostly made up of methane which is an asphyxiant, meaning it takes away oxygen. I then began researching the additives which some are poisons in themselves.  I also have a growing number of poisoned friends I have found on the net.   

I am feeling better but I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Chemical Injury (MCS/CI) where I cannot be in the presence of toxic chemicals or fragrances because they make me very ill. I still suffer with some intestinal problems, memory, dental also. I do not know the extent of damage done in my body. I have read that my DNA and cells may possibly be damaged.  

I was lucky in finding a wonderful environmental doctor who linked my long term inhalation of natural gas to my health problems. It seems there are only a handful of these doctors. Give them lots of love! I fear there are many more of the other kind. After the leak was repaired I spoke with a toxicologist, who once informed the public about anthrax on a local news channel, about natural gas. When I brought up methane and canaries in coal mines, he told me that it was untrue. I disagree.     

I am hoping that warning stickers can be placed on indoor gas pipes or furnaces, warnings in gas company pamphlets or aired warnings but it is not looking so good. I am being led in circles. I can’t see it getting done any time in the near future. The best thing I can do is tell my story and ask that you pass it on to everyone you know, including children and especially children. Also if you could jump in the circle with me and write letters to your reps, the gas company, media, schools, EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, CDC, ATSDR and more to simply ask that they educate everyone about the health dangers of natural gas, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for reading!    

Reprinted with permission from the author:

Roxanne Bedford-Curbow

Rocksy101@aol.com

Additional Information from Roxanne:

WHAT THE GAS INDUSTRY DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW
ABOUT NATURAL GAS...

Breathing indoor natural gas is harmful to your health.  It is poisonous.  What is natural gas?  Around 70% of it is made up of methane.  Methane is an asphyxiant which can cause death by asphyxiation.  Asphyxiants take away oxygen.  A small leak in a well sealed home can cause a number of health problems.  Other toxic chemicals are added to methane for odor.  Some are known to be deadly in only a few parts per billion and some are listed on the state of California’s list of cancer causing chemicals -  http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html        

What can families do to help protect themselves?
Purchase a methane detector.  Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors do NOT detect unburned natural gas.  Kidde Nighthawk makes an explosive gas/methane detector for sale at Target.  You can also purchase a natural gas detector online at http://www.safetyhero.com.  I have no financial interest in either.  Educate yourself and family on the health symptoms to look out for and never leave a leak un-repaired.      

To read my personal story:   http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/Lnaturalgas.htm

AEHA (Allergy & Environmental Health Assoc.)  "Natural gas may be harmful to your health...

 http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/6847/    

 
http://www.elements.nb.ca/theme/fuels/illness/caused.htm

I have made many of our local and state representatives aware of this but they are doing nothing about it.  I urge you to make calls, emails and letters demanding our "right to know" not be violated with lies about the health safety of natural gas any longer.

RB-C
 

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