Sunday, December 20, 2009
By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe
Breathing in Denton County is risky business — not as risky as in some parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties, federal researchers found — but riskier than the national average and far riskier than the target levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Chances of cancer or respiratory disease in Denton County 25% higher than national average .
- Chances of cancer or respiratory disease in Denton County 41 times the EPA target.
- Chance of cancer 100 people per million in some areas.
Although toxic releases have decreased in Denton County, Oil & Gas enjoys broad exemptions and exclusions from all our federal environmental statutes including the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986. This act requires industry to report releases of significant levels of toxic substances to EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) history of accurately reporting toxic releases was questioned in Sal Mier’s written testimony before U.S. House of Representatives. This testimony shows strong evidence gathered by university research that TCEQ and Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) conspired to skew the TRI numbers and resulting health affects from Midlothian, Texas cement kilns.
Do not miss the links following the DRC article.
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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The best quote I've seen in the past 3 years on all of these blogs, and I believe it was here went along the lines of "True patriots get their cancer and shut up about it." Industry had all the friends they were going to have about 5 years ago (in this area). Although I hate to see new wells go up 500 feet from anyone's home, I always know it means new recruits with fresh outrage. So maybe their company taglines should read something like "Killing our industry, one urban gas well at a time." If you take the urban out, they would still be operating with reckless abandon.
Best comment ever!
Here's a 'study' I've come up with, and I challenge anyone to find fault with my hypothesis: The more exemptions of the very same laws created to protect us that exist are in direct proportion to the severity of danger we are in.
So terrible, profit and health, which one is more important?
Money rules all and such it is with our health and our children/granchildren's health.
Big oil and gas have owned Texas since the late 1800s.
Cost cutting and incompetent/negligent practices by energy companies only exacerbate the issue/s further.