Air quality measured in some southwestern Pennsylvania homes
Saturday, July 26, 2014
According to Observer-Reporter, the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project is watching the air quality in Washington County, Pa. through use of air monitors distributed to residents. The monitors read particulates in the air that are caused by a number of indoor and outdoor pollutants.
Although there are no official reports stating that natural gas drilling contributes to a higher number of pollutants, researchers are studying the data from the air monitors in an effort to determine whether or not drilling causes more pollutants.
From Observer-Reporter:
“Ryan Grode, environmental health educator with the McMurray-based SWPA-EHP, said ongoing research focuses on residents who live near natural gas wells and compressor stations in Washington County and, to a lesser extent, Greene County and Morgantown, W.Va.”
Related Story: Pennsylvania shale gas emissions study released
Via: Observer-Reporter > Air monitors provided to residents near Marcellus sites
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.