Flower Mound Responds to Methane Report

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Flower Mound Responds to Methane Report

An article was published on March 3 in the Denton Record Chronicle that reported measured amounts of methane at locations within the Barnett Shale, including a site in Flower Mound. The article reported that an atmospheric researcher and an environmental researcher conducted sampling activities in Flower Mound and isolated the boundaries of a "methane plume" that measured 40 parts per million (PPM). By comparison, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends a maximum exposure of 1,000 PPM for an eight-hour period in an enclosed location, and notes the explosive limits are 50,000 to 150,000 PPM, and the asphyxiation limit is 500,000 PPM.

The 1.8 PPM "normal background level" of methane referenced in the article is not an established limit included in any of the previous studies conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). As the Town of Flower Mound was neither involved with nor contacted about these tests, officials are not aware of the precise locations sampled or investigated other than the Scenic Road and FM 1171 area referenced in the article. The primary component of natural gas, Methane is a non-toxic compound emitted from natural and manmade sources including wastewater treatment plants, livestock operations, mobile combustion, landfills, and natural gas and fossil fuel production operations. Methane can displace oxygen, resulting in an oxygen-deficient environment in confined areas, but because it is lighter than air, Methane tends to rise in open environments.

Flower Mound officials contacted the regional TCEQ office to determine if there are set standards or applicable health limits established for methane and to confirm that TCEQ registered the concern for an investigation. The TCEQ representative indicated that there is not a federal or state limit for methane at this time, and the 1.8 PPM level referenced in the article has been determined to be within the reasonable range for a background level of Methane. Relative to the environmental impact, the effect of Methane is typically measured by its effect on greenhouse gas emissions.

TCEQ investigators were in Flower Mound on March 4 at two sites and noted no immediate concerns; however, a canister sample was taken in response to the story that appeared in the Denton Record Chronicle. The agency also fielded several calls regarding the story, but indicated the complainants stated that they were not smelling any gas or noticing any problems. The Town of Flower Mound is currently exploring several air quality monitoring options including regular odor checks, the purchase of a toxic vapor analyzer, the purchase of an infrared gas-imaging camera, the installation of a permanent air monitoring station, and the reporting of any irregularities to the TCEQ and the appropriate gas drilling company.

Posted 03/05/2010.