Many oil well operators simply burn off, or flare, excess gas. Some even vent it directly to the atmosphere. In addition to being an unnecessary waste, this air pollution contains hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds can lead to respiratory disease and cancer.
For more information on the waste of gas through flaring, venting, and leaking, see the report, The Flaring Boom.
Below are stories about people impacted by air pollution from oil and gas development.
Pavillion Community Still Waiting on a Solution for Clean Drinking Water - Residents impacted by leaking wells look to Encana and the state of Wyoming for a solution. Evelyn stood on her deck overlooking a patchwork of… Continue reading → Pavillion Community Still Waiting on a Solution for Clean Drinking Water
Bonding Crisis Looms in Colorado as Gas Prices Tip Into the Red - Residents of Battlement Mesa and Rifle, Colorado, are on the verge of seeing gas companies abandoning their wells and leaving taxpayers to clean up the… Continue reading → Bonding Crisis Looms in Colorado as Gas Prices Tip Into the Red
Fighting for Clean Air in North Dakota - Joletta Bird Bear and Fort Berthold POWER Still Have a Long Way to Go to Get Clean Air on the Reservation. Flares danced all the… 
What Happens to a Retirement Community When Oil and Gas Moves in - Bill: “My name is Bill Nelson. I came from Wales originally, a long time ago. Now I live here in Battlement Mesa in Stone Ridge… Continue reading → What Happens to a Retirement Community When Oil and Gas Moves in
How an Oil Boom Takes on a Life of Its Own - “My name is Pat Wilson. I’m a 67 year old cattle rancher who’s had a somewhat checkered career. I grew up on the family… Continue reading → How an Oil Boom Takes on a Life of Its Own
Losing the Night Sky: How Oil and Gas Development Altered New Town’s Views - Norma: Norma Stenslie. I grew up in the eastern part of North Dakota, by Hope, and we met at Concordia college. I was a piano… Continue reading → Losing the Night Sky: How Oil and Gas Development Altered New Town’s Views
Losing Community to Oil and Gas Development - “My name is Marilynn Hudson, and I live right here in Parshall, North Dakota. I’m 79 years old now. The oil development started…how many… Continue reading → Losing Community to Oil and Gas Development