On January 12, Sharon Wilson, blogger and watchdog known as “Texas Sharon” in the fracktivist community, reported that benzene emissions were discovered at a Chesapeake Energy compressor station in Fort Worth, Texas. Last fall, – a Texas based environmental organization – went to the and recorded the emissions with a FLIR camera. The station in question is emitting benzene yards from a playground. According to the CDC, short term benzene exposure can cause irregular heartbeat, trouble breather, dizziness, and the possibility of death. Long term exposure to the VOC can weaken bone marrow, cause leukemia, low birth weights and delayed bone marrow growth.

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Sean Kitchen is an Assistant Editor and Social Media Organizer for Raging Chicken Press. He is student at Kutztown University

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