Protecting Health and Safety in West Deer
Protect Your Family; Have Your Home Tested For Radon
We are aware that many people in West Deer Township may be experiencing high indoor radon levels that require remediation. If you haven’t done so, we recommend radon testing for your home. Even if your levels are safe now, you should test regularly after fracking begins, because there is evidence that fracking will disturb rock structures and may release more radon, which could enter your foundation.
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/bemnet-alemayehu/radon-and-fracking-new-study
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/bemnet-alemayehu/radon-and-fracking-new-study
CROWD Is Working To Protect and Inform Our Community
Noise Monitoring
Excess noise can have adverse psychological or physiological effects. Fracking sites and related infrastructure can generate sustained noise levels for an extended duration. Noise can impact quality of life, creating a public nuisance and decreasing your right to enjoy and use your property.
In December 2024, Protect PT's environmental science department used a noise monitor for a period of time to record data from a location in close proximity to the Bairdford Leto well and compressor station site. This baseline data will allow comparison measurement of noise levels during phases of Leto site operations.
UPDATE: NOISE From LETO WELL SITE
A sound monitor was placed approximately 800 feet from the Leto well site for the week of 10/29/25 to 11/3/25. Following are some results from the study, which used an Optimus Green Outdoor Noise Measurement Kit with a Cirrus 1720 Sound Level Meter.
Conclusion To-Date
The overall average of decibel readings (Leq) for the nighttime was above EPA recommendations for ambient noise. When breaking down that overall average into typical ambient (L90) noise and disruptive (L10) noise, both metrics were higher than night time guidelines.
Recordings of loud incidents indicated that disruptive noise was associated with a variety of sources. None of the metrics graphed showed the typical daily pattern of rising and falling noise levels. Typical ambient levels (L90) at night were lower than during the day, but this difference was not large. Multiple recordings made during the testing period revealed the presence of a lower, constant background noise. It is possible that a consistent source of noise during the testing period resulted in the overall ambient
noise levels being higher, reducing the difference between the L10 and L90 levels, and preventing the
daily drop in levels that typically occurs during late night and early morning hours. A comparison to prior
testing results may reveal a change in these daily patterns and noise levels. More needs to be done to ensure that the quality of life for residents living in close proximity to unconventional gas development is not severely impacted. The results of this report can be used to
inform others about the realities of living near this development. We encourage study participants to share monitoring results with neighbors and local responsible parties that can help preserve the communities’ safety, security, and quality of life from the negative effects of unconventional gas.
Excess noise can have adverse psychological or physiological effects. Fracking sites and related infrastructure can generate sustained noise levels for an extended duration. Noise can impact quality of life, creating a public nuisance and decreasing your right to enjoy and use your property.
In December 2024, Protect PT's environmental science department used a noise monitor for a period of time to record data from a location in close proximity to the Bairdford Leto well and compressor station site. This baseline data will allow comparison measurement of noise levels during phases of Leto site operations.
UPDATE: NOISE From LETO WELL SITE
A sound monitor was placed approximately 800 feet from the Leto well site for the week of 10/29/25 to 11/3/25. Following are some results from the study, which used an Optimus Green Outdoor Noise Measurement Kit with a Cirrus 1720 Sound Level Meter.
Conclusion To-Date
The overall average of decibel readings (Leq) for the nighttime was above EPA recommendations for ambient noise. When breaking down that overall average into typical ambient (L90) noise and disruptive (L10) noise, both metrics were higher than night time guidelines.
Recordings of loud incidents indicated that disruptive noise was associated with a variety of sources. None of the metrics graphed showed the typical daily pattern of rising and falling noise levels. Typical ambient levels (L90) at night were lower than during the day, but this difference was not large. Multiple recordings made during the testing period revealed the presence of a lower, constant background noise. It is possible that a consistent source of noise during the testing period resulted in the overall ambient
noise levels being higher, reducing the difference between the L10 and L90 levels, and preventing the
daily drop in levels that typically occurs during late night and early morning hours. A comparison to prior
testing results may reveal a change in these daily patterns and noise levels. More needs to be done to ensure that the quality of life for residents living in close proximity to unconventional gas development is not severely impacted. The results of this report can be used to
inform others about the realities of living near this development. We encourage study participants to share monitoring results with neighbors and local responsible parties that can help preserve the communities’ safety, security, and quality of life from the negative effects of unconventional gas.
Air Quality Monitoring
We care about ensuring that all West Deer residents have clean air to breathe so that we can all live healthy, fulfilled lives here in West Deer. In support of that initiative we have started to monitor our air quality in partnership with the Environmental Health Project and Protect PT. We now have monitors installed at various locations around our community that will continually publish air quality data to map.purpleair.com. (See the interactive map below)
These monitors measure particulate matter (PM2.5) and a total volatile organic compound (VOC) count. PM2.5 are small enough to enter into our lungs when we breathe and then enter our blood streams. Exposure to particulate matter may impair lung function, aggravate asthma symptoms, cause irregular heartbeat and heart attacks, and lead to premature death in those with heart and lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PM2.5 can also serve as a carrier for other pollutants to enter the body, magnifying the health impacts of many harmful compounds, such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. VOCs such as benzene, xylenes, or formaldehyde are associated with several health effects including headaches, nausea, damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, and an increased risk of cancer.
We want you to be informed about your health and how the environment of our community affects it. For more information, visit the Environmental Health Project and Protect PT websites.
We care about ensuring that all West Deer residents have clean air to breathe so that we can all live healthy, fulfilled lives here in West Deer. In support of that initiative we have started to monitor our air quality in partnership with the Environmental Health Project and Protect PT. We now have monitors installed at various locations around our community that will continually publish air quality data to map.purpleair.com. (See the interactive map below)
These monitors measure particulate matter (PM2.5) and a total volatile organic compound (VOC) count. PM2.5 are small enough to enter into our lungs when we breathe and then enter our blood streams. Exposure to particulate matter may impair lung function, aggravate asthma symptoms, cause irregular heartbeat and heart attacks, and lead to premature death in those with heart and lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PM2.5 can also serve as a carrier for other pollutants to enter the body, magnifying the health impacts of many harmful compounds, such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. VOCs such as benzene, xylenes, or formaldehyde are associated with several health effects including headaches, nausea, damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, and an increased risk of cancer.
We want you to be informed about your health and how the environment of our community affects it. For more information, visit the Environmental Health Project and Protect PT websites.
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Concerned Residents of West Deer ۰ PO Box 108, Gibsonia, PA 15044 ۰ (412) 440-8478