Research was conducted with residents living about a half-mile from wells in Garfield County, Colorado (Wikipedia map), where there's been a rapid expansion of gas production. The county asked the School of Public Health to conduct the study for wells in the Battlement Mesa community. Researchers conclude in the report that health risks are greater for those living closest to wells, and suggests emissions be reduced.
The report found potentially toxic petroleum hydrocarbons and carcinogens in the air near wells, including benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and xylene. "Our results show that the non-cancer health impacts from air emissions due to natural gas development is greater for residents living closer to wells," the report said. "The greatest health impact corresponds to the relatively short-term, but high emission, well completion period." Exposure to trimethylbenzenes, aliaphatic hydrocarbons, and xylenes increases during that time, reports Click Green. Those elements can cause neurological and/or respiratory problems, including eye irritation, headaches, sore throat and difficulty breathing. (Read more)