How Does Oil Impact the Environment?

Petroleum products give off the following emissions when they are burned as fuel:

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Nitrogen oxides (NOX) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Particulate matter (PM)

Lead and various air toxics such as benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene may be emitted when some types of petroleum are burned

Nearly all of these byproducts have negative impacts on the environment and human health:

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and a source of global warming.1

SO2 causes acid rain, which is harmful to plants and to animals that live in water, and it worsens or causes respiratory illnesses and heart diseases, particularly in children and the elderly.

NOX and VOCs contribute to ground-level ozone, which irritates and damages the lungs.

PM results in hazy conditions in cites and scenic areas, and, along with ozone, contributes to asthma and chronic bronchitis, especially in children and the elderly. Very small, or “fine PM” is also thought to cause emphysema and lung cancer.

Lead can have severe health impacts, especially for children, and air toxics are known or probable carcinogens.

Products from oil (petroleum products) help us do many things. We use them to fuel our airplanes, cars, and trucks, to heat our homes, and to make products like medicines and plastics. Even though petroleum products make life easier — finding, producing, moving, and using them can harm the environment through air and water pollution.