- California is responsible for 12 percent of a little-known greenhouse gas
- The gas comes from a pesticide used to combat the state’s termite problem.
- READ MORE: Californians say state is moving too fast on renewable energy
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California leads the United States as the largest emitter of a little-known greenhouse gas even though the state has implemented several climate change initiatives.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University identified high levels of sulfuryl fluoride, a common pesticide for termites and ants, that accumulates in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming.
The team analyzed more than 15,000 air samples collected between 2015 and 2019 by NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory and found that up to 85 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from the Golden State.
The data showed that the United States is responsible for 17 percent of global sulfuryl fluoride emissions, but 12 percent comes from California.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University identified high levels of sulfuryl fluoride, a common pesticide for termites and ants, being released in a few counties.
The data showed that the United States is responsible for 17 percent of global sulfuryl fluoride emissions, but 12 percent comes from California.
Lead author Dylan Gaeta said: “Without some intervention, sulfuryl fluoride will continue to accumulate in our atmosphere.” For most greenhouse gases, California has been very intentional about how it will reduce emissions.
“This one has gone unnoticed.”
The analysis determined that Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties are hot spots for greenhouse gas; Los Angeles was found to be the largest emitter.
And levels have risen steadily throughout California since 2007.
The analysis determined that Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties are hot spots for greenhouse gas; Los Angeles was found to be the largest emitter.
“Now we can show not only where, but also how and why this gas is emitted,” Gaeta said. “To get to net zero emissions, we need a complete inventory of the greenhouse gases that exist.”
The high levels of sulfuryl fluoride may be due to the state fighting extinct species that plague much of Southern California.
The most common subterranean termites live underground and build mud tubes to travel in the shadows.
These pests also feed on wood and other cellulosic materials and can cause significant damage to homes and other structures.
“In particular, fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride does not provide residual protection against future infestations, leading to recurrent treatments of structures located in regions where termites are ubiquitous,” reads the study published in Nature.
Alternatives to using pesticides would be wood replacement, hot and cold water treatments, or microwave radiation, but the researchers noted that these “methods generally do not achieve structure-wide eradication of termites.”
The team reviewed California records on pesticide use and found that about 85 percent of sulfuryl fluoride emissions come from structural fumigation.
This involves sealing an infested structure with an airtight tent, pumping gas into the tent to eradicate the pests, and then venting the gas directly to the atmosphere.
The other 15 percent was attributed to agricultural and commodity spraying.
When this greenhouse gas is released into the air, it will remain in the atmosphere for more than 40 years.
«The average concentrations of sulfuryl fluoride in the atmosphere are low; However, humans have been emitting the man-made gas for decades at a faster rate than it can decompose naturally,” the team shared.