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- Title
Putting the Heat on Gas.
- Authors
Brown, Valerie J.
- Abstract
This article discusses the potential health impacts of producing natural gas wells in Colorado. The author argues that natural gas extraction affects both air and water quality. Frequently, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted by processes that separate methane from other fluids and gases. Hydraulic fracturing of wells uses chemicals that contain VOCs. Produced water contains drilling and fracking chemicals which are re-injected or placed in surface evaporation ponds. These can also emit VOCs such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylenes (BTEX) which are naturally present in many hydrocarbon deposits. These VOCs can cause symptoms such as headache, and damage to the liver and kidneys; loss of coordination, benzene is also a carcinogen as well. VOCs can contribute to severe respiratory and immune system problems by helping to create ground-level ozone, which can contribute to severe immune system and respiratory problems. Tests around wells have shown that contamination of shallow ground-water with hydrocarbon compounds can occur. Theo Colborn, president of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange in Paonia, Colorado, believes that some chemicals found in produced water are neurotoxic; among these is 2-butoxyethanol.
- Subjects
VOLATILE organic compounds; NATURAL gas prospecting; OIL field brines; GAS wells; BENZENE, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX); COLBORN, Theo, 1927-2014; IMMUNE system; GAS extraction; ETHYLBENZENE
- Publication
Environmental Health Perspectives, 2007, Vol 115, Issue 2, pA76
- ISSN
0091-6765
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1289/ehp.115-a76