BATTLEMENT MESA, Colo.—Garfield County officials are moving ahead with plans for health studies in Battlement Mesa to evaluate the effects of oil and gas drilling on residents.
County environmental health director Jim Rada said he has been talking with researchers, state agencies, industry representatives and others to launch the studies.
Hundreds of residents in the community of about 5,000 had requested health studies amid proposals by Antero Resources to drill up to 200 wells near Parachute. Many in Battlement Mesa are retirees, who have said they are worried their health could be compromised if drilling occurs close to their homes.
Industry representatives have said there is no research showing a direct correlation between oil and gas development and health problems on people living near the wells.
Western Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association director David Ludlam said the industry does not oppose the idea of the health studies.
County commissioners recently agreed a health study was warranted and that it could be funded by the county, perhaps using the county’s energy mitigation fund that comes from fees paid by energy companies.
In 2008, researchers from the University of Colorado Denver’s Colorado School of Public Health an Colorado State University studied air quality impacts by the gas and oil industry in Garfield County.
Researchers concluded there were signs of an “acute problem with toxic emissions” from natural gas development and called for implementation of a health impact assessment before oil and gas development near populated areas.
Rada said he planned this week to submit applications for grants for the assessment.
Rada said he also plans to take the board of county commissioners up on their offer to pay for a separate community health study, which he envisions as establishing a baseline of health information for the residents and to see how their health changes over time in response to drilling activities.
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Information from: Post Independent,
