Emissions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Natural Gas Extraction into Air.

ABSTRACT: Natural gas extraction, often referred to as "fracking", has increased rapidly in the United States in recent years. To address potential health impacts, passive air samplers were deployed in a rural community heavily affected by the natural gas boom. Samplers were analyzed for 62 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Results were grouped based on distance from each sampler to the nearest active well. Levels of benzo[a]pyrene, phenanthrene, and carcinogenic potency of PAH mixtures were highest when samplers were closest to active wells. PAH levels closest to natural gas activity were comparable to levels previously reported in rural areas in winter. Sourcing ratios indicated that PAHs were predominantly petrogenic, suggesting that PAH levels were influenced by direct releases from the e

SUBMITTER: Paulik LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5134738 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature