Study: No "Significant Health Risks" From Natural Gas Emissions
Long-awaited study on Fort Worth's air quality released
NBC-DFW
14 July 2011
An air quality study of natural gas drilling sites in Fort Worth found
no significant health threats, the city said Thursday.
The long-awaited study by Eastern Research Group Inc. looked at the
impact of natural gas exploration and production on Fort Worth's air
quality.
According to the study, emissions do not reach levels that cause
adverse health effects, although five sites have emission rates that
exceed regulatory thresholds.
Mayor Betsy Price said she was encouraged by the findings.
The study also said that Fort Worth's 600-foot setback distance is
adequate for most of the sites. However, some gas production
facilities, such as compress stations, may require additional review.
The emission rates of the five sites with high rates -- a processing
facility, three compressor stations and a well pad -- are supposed to
trigger certain permitting requirements, the report said.
The study's field testing began in August 2010 and included sampling at
388 gas wells and gas transportation sites. The study included
"unannounced up-close point source testing, ambient air monitoring, air
dispersion modeling, a public health evaluation, a regulatory
assessment and full build-out estimates."
Eastern Research Group was hired by a committee made up residents,
community groups, environmental groups and industry representatives.
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The complete 320 page report can be downloaded from http://www.fortworthgov.org/gaswells/?id=87074
as a 12 mega-byte .PDF file.