Overview of hydrogen production processes: Health and environmental impact

Abstract Hydrogen is traditionally regarded as a cornerstone in the path to a sustainable energy economy. However, there are substantial differences in the inclusion of environmental and health effects across the hydrogen production pathways, due to different feedstocks, technologies, and byproduct emissions. This review compares the ecological footprints of renewable and non‐renewable hydrogen production methods. It assesses spatial and temporal variations in greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation, as well as occupational and community health risks. Comparisons are made, among other things, of emerging production technologies, such as green hydrogen via electrolysis and turquoise hydrogen derived from pyrolysis of methane, with alternatives such as steam methane reforming (SMR) and coal gasification. It suggests integrating advanced safety protocols, lifecycle assessments, and policy interventions in the technology deployment of cleaner hydrogen technologies. The importance of how hydrogen is produced, managed, and regulated is critical to the fuel's sustainability, and the study concludes that, despite its promise as a clean fuel, hydrogen holds only limited promise if it is not produced with sufficient safeguards and oversight.