DEP Launches Air Study
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: July 23, 2012
HARRISBURG - The Department of Environmental Protection announced on Monday it has started a year long air monitoring study of Marcellus Shale development. The study in Washington County will measure ambient airborne pollutants in an effort to determine potential air quality impacts associated with the processing and transmission of unconventional natural gas.
The data from the study will allow DEP to assess any potential long-term impact of air emissions from unconventional natural gas operations to nearby communities, and it will help DEP address the cumulative impact of the operations in the Marcellus Shale region.
In 2010 and 2011, the agency conducted short-term ambient air quality sampling in the southwest, north-central and northeast parts of the state, where Marcellus Shale drilling was taking place. The sampling did not identify concentrations of any compound that would likely trigger air-related health issues. DEP also tested for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone, but did not detect concentrations above National Ambient Air Quality Standards at any of the sampling sites.
The data from the study will allow DEP to assess any potential long-term impact of air emissions from unconventional natural gas operations to nearby communities, and it will help DEP address the cumulative impact of the operations in the Marcellus Shale region.
In 2010 and 2011, the agency conducted short-term ambient air quality sampling in the southwest, north-central and northeast parts of the state, where Marcellus Shale drilling was taking place. The sampling did not identify concentrations of any compound that would likely trigger air-related health issues. DEP also tested for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone, but did not detect concentrations above National Ambient Air Quality Standards at any of the sampling sites.
