A landowner in Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against a local energy company claiming the natural gas drilling they are currently doing is causing the water, air and overall environment to be polluted with benzene and other toxic chemicals. 

George Zimmermann is the owner of 480 acres in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He claims that Atlas Energy Inc. has ruined his land with their recent drilling project and put the environment, as well as the community, at risk of benzene exposure. 
 
Water Tests Find High Levels of Benzene

According to reports, water tests were recently conducted at three locations by gas wells located on Zimmermann’s property. The tests found seven chemicals that could potentially cause cancer, to be infesting the water. Researchers claim the level of carcinogens like benzene that was discovered in the water was well above "screening levels" set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Testers also concluded that more studies and testing needed to be done on Zimmermann’s land.

Atlas officials claim that these accusations linking them to the land contamination are ridiculous, but Zimmerman intends on vigorously defending himself, and his land, in court. But Zimmermann says he has evidence that chemicals used by Atlas contaminated his land.

"There are substances that can’t be made by nature and that’s what’s in the ground," Zimmerman told reports.

Drilling Conducted Poses Threat

Atlas is reportedly exploiting the Marcellus Shale, which is a vast gas reserve that underlies an estimated two-thirds of Pennsylvania, as well as portions of West Virginia, Ohio and New York State. Researchers believe that the project contains enough natural gas to meet the U.S. demand for at least a decade.

Zimmerman claims that in recent months water tests found chemicals at 2,600 times acceptable levels, benzene at 44 times above limits and naphthalene five times federal standards.
Benzene and the other chemicals found can cause serious illnesses like leukemia and can also damage the immune, nervous and respiratory systems when ingested or inhaled over. Zimmerman hopes the lawsuit will stop the drilling from affecting his land and he will be reimbursed for any land renovations needed.