Toxic Chemical Emissions Found Near Gas & Oil Sites

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Warning Signs: Toxic Air Pollution at Oil and Gas Development Sites is a new report released today alongside "Air concentrations of volatile compounds near oil and gas production: A community-based exploratory study" published today in the journal Environmental Health.

Coming Clean and Global Community Monitor collaborated with 12 community organizations in six states to conduct air sampling at oil and gas development sites, because community members feel they are sickened by chemical emissions coming from those sites.

David Carpenter, MD, with the Institute for Health and the Environment, at New York State University at Albany, a senior author on the Environmental Health journal article, said:  "As a health professional, I am concerned that the citizens in these communities were experiencing health problems that they believe are linked to the oil and gas production near their homes."

April Lane, ArkansasFracking.org, took samples in Arkansas. "Almost all of us who took air samples reported health symptoms while sampling, including headaches; dizziness or lightheadedness; irritated, burning, or running nose; nausea; and sore or irritated throat," she explained. 

Denny Larson, Global Community Monitor, conducted air monitoring training for this project. "Our study shows how important it is for communities to be directly involved in monitoring the air they breathe."

Deb Thomas, of Clark, Wyoming, said, "We have serious health conditions; livestock and pets are sick and dying; property values have already plummeted.  Fighting to protect what's left of our communities has become a way of life.  This industry isn't just fracking for oil and gas...it's fracturing communities and lives."

"In my community, there seems to be no industry accountability for impacts to our air and for public health risks from Marcellus Shale development," added Rebecca Roter with Breathe Easy Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.  "People living around natural gas compressors and other infrastructure have experienced nosebleeds, decreased respiratory function, sinus infections, headaches and other suspected health impacts."

Christine Hughes, owner of the Village Bakery and Cafe, Athens, Ohio, said, "What does it mean when toxic emissions are occurring near fields where our food is grown? I depend on productive organic farming businesses to for  ingredients for the food I serve my customers; having clean air and water is essential for agriculture and our health."

"This data shows clearly why our elected representatives need to stand up for the health of their constituents, rather than the oil and gas industry's profits," said Rod Brueske, whose farm is near Erie, Colorado where community members took air samples.

Katie Huffling, RN, CNM, with the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, said,   "Asthma, headaches, and issues during pregnancy, such as birth defects, have all been on the rise in communities near oil and gas development. It's alarming that the Pennsylvania Department of Health discouraged staff from responding to calls from the public about these health problems."

"At Center for Environmental Health, we're concerned about communities near fracking sites, especially those most vulnerable to health problems from fracking pollution," said Caroline Cox, withCEH and co-author of the study. CEH East Coast Director Ansje Miller, said, "CEH supports the current New York State fracking moratorium. We should be focusing on renewable solutions that provide healthier energy alternatives to fossil fuels like oil and gas."

Elizabeth Crowe, Associate Director for Coming Clean said, "Each day our legislators and agency officials delay precautionary action, more people are needlessly exposed to harmful chemicals.  We need action, now."

Info:  http://comingcleaninc.org/warningsigns

SOURCE Coming Clean

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