Thomas House is a disabled veteran who lives in the rural countryside outside of Oklahoma City. He moved there in 1995 after he was disabled in the first Gulf War and retired from the Air Force. He loved the peace, quiet and clean air around his home. He tells me, however, that all that ended in late 2010, when a company began drilling for natural gas on nearby property. According to Mr. House, since the natural gas operations began, both he and his wife have experienced serious health symptoms, including headaches, rashes, nausea and vomiting, and burning eyes and throats. They sometimes have to wear face masks just to sit inside their home comfortably to watch TV. He reports that his neighbors have some health symptoms, and so do his dog and several other local dogs.
Mr. House reports that state regulators told him there is nothing they can do about toxic air emissions from the oil and gas industry. He has paid out of his own pocket to have his air tested to find out what is in his air. These air tests found hydocarbons and volatile organic compounds inside his home with the windows closed--even though he estimates that the natural gas production facilities are approximately 150 yards from his home. If he is getting this sick with the gas wells 150 yards away, imagine what the air is like near the wells.Read More...
