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Air quality: Carroll County study shows pollutants from fracking

Monday, May 25, 2015 by

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Researchers from Oregon State University and the University of Cincinnati studied the effects of Utica Shale fracking in Carroll County, Ohio. According to Oregon State University, their findings show high levels of some pollutants known to cause cancer and respiratory ailments near active well sites.

The study’s results showed that fracking emits airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The researchers took into account other sources of PAHs, such as wood smoke and vehicle exhaust, since both were consistently present in the sample area.

About the study

To conduct the study, air samplers were placed on 23 properties in Carroll County where there is more than one natural gas well per square mile. Some samplers were placed close to an active gas well and others were placed as far as three miles away. It was found that the samplers placed closest to the active wells detected the highest concentration of PAHs at levels about what is deemed safe for lifetime exposure by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Since extraction techniques and a region’s underlying geology influence PAH emissions, the study’s findings can’t be applied to other shale plays where natural gas is being produced.

Via: Oregon State University > Fracking may affect air quality and human health, OSU study finds

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