Penn State scientists find shale development increases exposure of some to air pollutants
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Penn State scientists believe air pollution levels may have exceeded air quality standards during the development of some Marcellus Shale natural gas wells, according to Penn State News. More than 36,000 may have been impacted in a year during the drilling boom.
More than 20,000 unconventional natural gas wells have been drilled since Pennsylvania’s boom began. Researchers found emissions at some of the sites could have impacted air quality for people who live beyond the 500-foot setbacks required by state regulations.
“We found in one year alone, 36,000 people, or about 1% of the population of Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale region, could have been exposed to pollution levels exceeding air quality standards,” Gernand said. “However, we found doubling the required setback distance reduced that number by about half.”
Read the full report: Penn State News > Shale gas development in PA increases exposure of some to air
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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.