California Leads by Far in Emissions of This Greenhouse Gas

Sulfuryl fluoride is a pesticide that eradicates drywood termites, and most is given off by Southern California fumigations.

Most of California's sulfuryl fluoride emissions originate from home and building fumigations, but some come from agricultural pesticides. Above, a farm worker near the town of Arvin, southeast of Bakersfield, Calif., on Aug. 11, 2004. David McNew/Getty Images

Despite California’s efforts in greenhouse gas reduction, the state is the leading emitter in the country of a less-familiar greenhouse gas, sulfuryl fluoride, according to a recent study out of Johns Hopkins University.

The study, published last week, revealed California emits 60 percent to 85 percent of the gas, which is found in pesticide used to kill termites and other wood-infesting insects.