Examining The Association Between Natural Gas Compressor Stations and Residential Noise In West Virginia, USA

摘要

Aim From 2000 to 2014, natural gas production increased 35%, from 19.7 quadrillion British Thermal Units (BTU) to 26.6 quadrillion BTU across the United States, much of which is due to technological advances in horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing. Exposure to chemical, physical, and psychosocial hazards has become a growing concern as a result of this development. Noise associated with natural gas compressor stations has been identified as a major concern for nearby residents and communities, yet limited studies exist assessing this exposure. Our pilot study investigated how residential noise levels near a natural gas compressor station varied based upon time of day (daytime versus nighttime), location (indoors versus outdoors), and varying distances. Methods We collected 24-hour noise measurements indoors and outdoors concurrently at 8 homes across varying distances within 750 meters of a natural gas compressor station and 3 homes located more than 1 kilometer away, considered control homes, from April 11-17, 2014 in Doddridge County, West Virginia. We used generalized estimation equation regression models to assess how A-weighted decibel exposure changed based upon factors previously mentioned. Results Indoor noise levels for control homes (mean: 42.5 dBA; standard error (SE): 2.6) were 10.9 dBA (p<0.01) less than indoor levels for homes within 750 meters of the station. No statistically significant difference was found for outdoor noise levels for control vs. measurements <750m (average of 51.9 and 55.3 dBA, respectively). Focusing on measurements 50dBA. In contrast, measurements >1km were found to be on average 9.4 dBA (SE=3.9) higher outdoors relative to indoors (p=0.02). Examining noise levels across multiple distance categories, all measurements within 300 meters of the station were deemed to be 10 dBA (SE= 3.6) higher (p1km). Lastly, daytime noise levels for all locations within 750m of the station were found to be 3.4 dBA (SE=1.2) higher relative to nighttime levels (p<0.01). Conclusions Our findings suggest that living near a natural gas compressor station results in high environmental noise exposures for nearby residents. Future studies on a larger scale are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate potential health impacts.