"In Heavily Fracked Ohio County, Unsafe Levels of Toxic Pollutants"

"New study finds fracking releases cancer-causing chemicals into the air many times higher than the EPA considers safe."

"Emissions generated by fracking operations may be exposing people to some toxic pollutants at levels higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers safe for long-term exposure, according to scientists from Oregon State University and the University of Cincinnati.

The researchers took air samples in Carroll County, the home of 480 permitted wells––the most in any of Ohio's 88 counties. The team found chemicals released during oil and gas extraction that can raise people's risk of cancer and respiratory ailments.

Researchers caution they don't want to create undue alarm with their findings, but they say they hope the results will highlight the urgent need to conduct more in-depth studies of fracking emissions and the potential effects on human health."

David Hasemyer reports for InsideClimate News May 20, 2015.