Capturing carbon dioxide from power stations and storing it
deep underground carries no significant threat to human health, despite
recently voiced fears that it might, a study has shown.
Researchers found that the risk of death from poisoning as a
result of exposure to carbon dioxide leaks from underground rocks is about one
in 100 million—far less than the chances of winning the lottery jackpot.
Scientists from the University
of Edinburgh studied historical data
on deaths from carbon dioxide poisoning in Italy
and Sicily,
where the gas seeps naturally from the ground because of volcanic activity.
They found that the number of recorded deaths was very low
and say that engineered gas storage underground could be even safer, as it will
be planned and monitored.
The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Recent CCS projects in northern Europe and Canada have
been criticized by residents over health concerns arising from potential
leakage.
Carbon capture and storage enables collection of carbon
dioxide before it can escape into the atmosphere. The technology involves the
collection of carbon dioxide at a power station or industrial site. The gas is
liquefied and piped to the storage site, where it is injected deep below
ground. The gas is stored in microscopic rock pores and eventually dissolves in
underground water. Storage sites will have several barriers between the store
and the surface.
Storing carbon dioxide gas underground prevents it from
contributing to global warming. Such technologies will play an important role
over the next 50 years, as a bridge to the development of clean energy.
Jennifer Roberts from the University
of Edinburgh’s School of GeoSciences,
who undertook the work, says: “These Italian carbon dioxide seeps are
natural, are often neither sign-posted nor fenced off, and yet there have been
remarkably few accidents.”
Professor Stuart Haszeldine of the University
of Edinburgh’s School of GeoSciences,
who led the study, says: “Our findings show that storing carbon dioxide
underground is safe and should allay any concerns that the technology poses a
significant threat to health.”
