A local Manhattan official is opposed to gas drilling in the region for fear that the process will result in contamination of the area’s drinking water. Toxic chemicals are used in the drilling process, and Borough President Scott Stringer believes those chemicals will pollute the water and cause severe health problems among area residents.

Gas drilling is increasingly common as the U.S. attempts to become more self-sufficient with regard to energy production. However, according to a report released by Stringer, there have been at least two dozen reports of serious health issues linked to gas drilling in nine different states.

“In Wyoming, the water there where the drilling took place – 1,500 times the safe level for benzene. A house in Ohio exploded because the methane found in the tap water ignited,” he said.

Benzene is particularly toxic to humans and has been shown to cause rare cancers like leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

If you are concerned about gas drilling where you live, you may want to consider contacting your local officials to find out what kind of measures are being taken to protect area residents.

Tags: "Benzene Exposure" "toxic chemicals" "gas drilling" "non-Hodgkin's lymphoma" Leukemia, gas drilling, Information-News, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, toxic chemicals