Penn State Environment released a new report that has uncanny similarities to Flowback: How the Texas natural Gas Boom Affects Health and Safety.
In the Shadow of the Marcellus Boom: How Shale Gas Extraction Puts Vulnerable Pennsylvanians at Risk
Findings of the research:
- The Pennsylvania DEP recorded 241 violations of environmental regulations at Marcellus wells within two miles of different day care facilities, and 40 violations within two miles of individual schools, from January 2008 to June 2010 alone – not including traffic safety violations by tanker trucks.
- At every stage in the process, Marcellus Shale gas extraction creates risks for water pollution, including spills and leaks that can pollute waterways with chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluid and naturally occurring metals and salts from the shale formation that can be harmful to human health. Gas has also been documented to contaminate aquifers up to seven miles from a well site.
- Extracting gas from the Marcellus Shale also creates hazardous air pollution from truck trips, pump engines, gases vented from wells, contaminants from processing plants, and fumes evaporating from wastewater ponds.
- Anecdotal reports suggest that living near gas extraction sites can cause health impacts, although little formal scientific study has been completed to date.
To further illustrate that health impacts from natural gas extraction and production are widespread, you can see the Garfield County Health Assessment.
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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There is so much back and fourth about whether Shale Gas Production is safe or not. It’s an obvious problem! Why else would a company like HydroConfidence exist!? They are working on ways to make fracking safer and “more efficient”. They have a lot of industry support.