Threats from Air Pollution near Drilling Documented by Citizens Report

The Colorado Independent (July 13) reported that a new study was released that documents the presence of toxic chemicals in the air near natural gas drilling operations.  Issued by the Global Community Monitor, the July 2011 report entitled  “GASSED! Citizen Investigation of Natural Gas Development (pdf),” details how the air samples, taken near homes, playgrounds, schools and community centers, were analyzed by a certified lab.  At least 22 toxic chemicals, including four known human carcinogens, were found in nine separate air samples taken near natural gas drilling operations by community advocacy and environmental groups in Garfield and La Plata counties in Colorado and the San Juan Basin of New Mexico.

Per the report, at least two cancer-causing chemicals, acrylonitrile and methylene chloride, were detected at high levels.  Neither chemical is associated with natural gas or oil deposits, but both seem to be associated with the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) products.

Bob Donnon of Washington County, Pa found acrylonitrile in his tap water in December of 2009.   Acrylonitrile was found at a level eleven times the Pennsylvania water quality standard for streams.  See bob’s blog for details.  Since then Pennsylvania has moved to limit the dumping of flowback water from fracking operations into rivers.

The report also notes that air emissions from natural gas are largely unregulated and unmonitored.  ”Oil and gas exploration and production operations are exempt from two key provisions of the Clean Air Act’s National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, designed to protect public health. Because of these exemptions, the industry avoids complying with standards that are applied to other industries.”

“Carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and acrylonitrile should not be in the air we breathe – and certainly not at these highly alarming levels,” said Dr. Mark Chernaik. “These results suggest neighboring communities are not being protected and their long-term health is being put at risk.”