Benzene Safety
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"Gas-Well-Blowout Affects Wyoming Neighborhood" October 4, 2007 Residents living in Clark, Wyoming, have recently expressed their concern regarding the high levels of benzene that were found in the water well near a local neighborhood. The home most affected by the water well is adjacent to the site where a natural-gas-well blowout occurred in 2006. Family Home at Risk Mel King, the homeowner living on the property, who has been most affected by the blowout, is most concerned about the water contamination. “Nobody would be pleased to have their well contaminated, so I'm not pleased about that,” stated King. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality reportedly advised King and his family not to drink, bathe, or wash dishes in the water. Water Contains High Levels of Benzene According to Michael Bullock, an environmental consultant who works in Windsor, the well tested at levels of 51 parts per billion for benzene. The federal drinking water standard is only supposed to be five parts per billion. There are reportedly about 25 homes located within a mile of the blowout site and there is no municipal water service within this area. Although Kathy Brown, the cleanup manager for the DEQ has said that she would not drink from the well on King's property, these decisions are up to each individual property owner. Anticipated Cleanup The DEQ plans on beginning a cleanup around the blowup site in early spring. William Liedtke, spokesman for the DEQ, says they had planned on beginning drilling into the wells and cleaning up the site in August, but the lease expired on the land where the blowup happened and they wanted to wait to give the landowner additional time to extend his lease. (Source: Billings Gazette) Have you been the victim of benzene exposure? Contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney who will enable you to get the compensation that you deserve. To learn more about benzene exposure and benzene laws, contact a Benzene Attorney. |