Oil and Gas at Your Door? (2005 Edition) - Earthworks

IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH OIL AND GAS
impacts on the central nervous system, and reproductive effects. 252 Toluene, ethyl
benzene, xylenes can affect human reproduction and respiratory systems. 253
• Nitrogen oxides combine with VOCs to form ground-level ozone.
• Hydrogen sulfide is a neurotoxin (poisonous to the brain—see below).
4. Fuel combustion associated with the use of machinery including pumps, heater-treaters,
and diesel engines, turbines and motors may release nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides,
ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulates.
• Nitrogen oxides combine with VOCs to form ground-level ozone.
• High concentrations of ozone near ground level can be harmful to people, animals and crops.
ozone can irritate the respiratory system and inflame and damage cells that line the
lung. Also, ozone may aggravate asthma and chronic lung diseases such as emphysema
and bronchitis, and reduce the immune system’s ability to fight off bacterial infections
in the respiratory system. And ozone may cause permanent lung damage, with
the worst effects being felt in children and exercising adults. 254
Ozone (O 3 ) is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides
(NO x ) react in the presence of sunlight and heat.
VOCs + NO x + (sunlight/heat) = O 3
San Juan County Ozone Alert—In San Juan County, New Mexico, there are approximately
18,000 oil and gas wells currently in production. Per year, these wells emit an
estimated:
• 6,900 tons of VOCs (57% of all VOCs emitted in the county)
• 29,000 tons of NO x (25% of all NO x emitted in the county)
In San Juan County,
New Mexico, a
typical summer
day has ozone levels
higher than 50 ppb
and frequently
exceeds 70 ppb.
Data from NM Environment
Dept., Air Quality Bureau,
www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/
At these levels of emission, the area is very close to the EPA’s maximum allowable
ozone concentration of 84 parts per billion (ppb). But with the Bureau of Land
Management predicting an additional 12,500 new wells, 12,000 new compressors
and 319 large compressors stations for the region, San Juan county may exceed ozone
levels of 84 ppb in the future. This would endanger the health of county residents,
especially children, the elderly, and residents who do a lot of outdoor exercise. 255
5. Wastes generated during natural gas dehydration and sweetening may release glycols and
benzene.
• Glycols are volatile and can be hazardous if inhaled as a vapor. 256
6. The extraction of produced water during coalbed methane development may lead to
migration of methane gas to the atmosphere. (See produced water below.)
• Methane can form an explosive mixture in air at levels as low as 5 percent. Symptoms
of methane exposure include burning eyes, dizziness and headaches. 257
7. Accidental and intentional releases of hydrogen sulfide may occur at sour gas well operations.
When H 2 S burns it forms sulfur dioxide and trioxide (SO 2 and SO 3 , respectively),
which contribute to air pollution and health problems. Furthermore, because H 2 S is heavier
than air, it often settles in low-lying areas, where it can accumulate in concentrations
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