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Tags: naturalgas

High levels of benzene emissions in the Barnett Shale

November 20, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
barnettshale, benzene, cleanair, naturalgas, oilandgas

According to a recent news report, the head toxicologist for the Texas Commisssion on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is "shocked" at the high levels of benzene being detected in the Barnett Shale area. What may be even more shocking in this report: not...continued

How drilling near a home can affect mortgage conditions

November 17, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
naturalgas, oilandgas

Previously I reported that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which insures home mortgages, has stated that "Operating and abandoned oil and gas wells pose potential hazards to housing" and won't insure mortgages for homes that are closer than 300 feet from an active or planned...continued

New report on oil and gas spills in New York State

November 16, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
naturalgas, oilandgas

A new report from a New York company details 270 oil and gas spills in New York State over the past 30 years. According to the company, Toxics Targeting, these uncontrolled releases caused fires, explosions, massive pollution releases, contaminated drinking water...continued

New information on the radioactive threats from natural gas waste

November 15, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
naturalgas, oilandgas

In our report Drilling Down, we mentioned that naturally occurring radioactive materials are among the hazardous substances released into the environment as a result of oil and gas operations. Argonne National Laboratory has a website with extensive information on the...continued

Two more cases of groundwater contamination in Pennsylvania: benzene, arsenic and mercury

November 13, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
hydraulicfracturing, naturalgas, oilandgas, waterpollution

I have previously posted about multiple water contamination incidents in Pennsylvania attributed to natural gas operations. Recent news reports describe two additional cases of groundwater contamination in Pennsylvania suspected to be caused by natural gas operations. In Washington County, a recent...continued

Today's National Public Radio and New York Times coverage on the health risks of natural gas drilling

November 3, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
airpollution, airquality, hydraulicfracturing, naturalgas, oilandgas, waterpollution

Today, National Public Radio's Morning Edition aired a story on the health impacts to Texans living near natural gas operations in the Barnett shale region. This powerful story focused on the impacts of compressor stations, including air contamination and low frequency noise. Compressor stations...continued

Another study finds benzene in Texas air

November 2, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
airpollution, airquality, naturalgas, oilandgas

It's been reported that the Texas Council on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is, for the first time, testing the air quality in the Barnett Shale region. Initial results include high levels of benzene. This is the fourth air study in the Barnett shale area this year that...continued

Contamination from oil and gas waste reported around the country

October 16, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
hydraulicfracturing, naturalgas, oilandgas

In general I keep my blogging to incidents that best epitomize the environmental threats posed by oil and gas production and the lack of sufficient regulations to protect human health, clean air and drinking water. After all, I only have so much time...continued

How far should oil and gas facilities be from a home? The federal government is more protective than some states

October 16, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
naturalgas, oilandgas

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is home to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). FHA insures home mortgages to help Americans buy homes. When considering whether a property is eligible for an FHA-insured loan, HUD requires that...continued

Yet another analysis of air near oil and gas operations finds hazardous air pollutants

October 5, 2009

Posted by Amy Mall in Health and the Environment

Tags:
airpollution, airquality, hazardousairpollutants, naturalgas, oilandgas

I've written previously about two Texas studies issued this year that found harmful air contamination related to oil and gas operations. One study found that natural gas drilling in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolian area is generating considerable emissions of air toxic compounds...continued

Amy Mall
Amy Mall
Senior Policy Analyst
Boulder, Colorado
As a kid I played outside until dark and no one worried too much about...
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