Exploring Fossil Fuel Pollution and Related Health Impacts
Focusing in on Colorado
This story map explores some aspects of high levels of ground-level ozone pollution and related health issues.
Pollution
Ground-level ozone is dangerous to humans and other life. It is created when pollutants from cars, power plants, and other sources react in the presence of sunlight.
"Nine-county region fails to achieve health limits for ozone pollution set in 2008". [in 2021] (and again in 2022). - Colorado Newsline.
The Denver Metro area has been above safe ground-level ozone standards since at least 2008.
"...from Moderate to Serious nonattainment..." - EPA
Ground-level ozone levels have continued to increase. In 2022, The EPA downgraded the Denver Metro area from 'Moderate' to 'Serious'.
The following map shows
Ozone Nonattainment Area, Climate Change Disadvantaged Census Tracts, Fossil Fuel Power Plants and the Suncor Petroleum refinery
"Oil & Gas Companies Aren’t Required To Directly Measure Their Air Pollution." - Colorado Times Recorder.
It is has been established that the oil & gas industry is the leading cause of ozone nonattainment; yet, Colorado doesn't require oil & gas companies to measure all of the pollutants that are emitted from their wells and the reporting values are not cumulative. As citizens, we see and feel the the effects, but the source is often hidden.
The public often isn't aware of how many violations there are in a year from oil and gas extraction.
The following screenshot of a dashboard shows
1100+ Spills That Occurred in 2022 - Many Between Denver and Fort Collins
Screenshot of spills in Colorado in 2022, taken from COGCC Dashboard
It is also often surprising to many citizens how many wells there actually are.
The following map shows
The Density of Wells in Small Section of the State - Denver is near the bottom and Fort Collins is Near the Top
Screenshot of wells and permits for wells along the Front Range, taken from COGCC GISOnline
Health
"...emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), ... lead to dozens of deaths in Colorado each year..." - Colorado Fiscal Institute
High levels of ground-level ozone worsens a number of respiratory problems such as asthma and chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as stroke in humans, and makes it unsafe for many people to be outside on certain days. High levels of ground-level ozone also interferes with photosynthesis making it difficult for plants to clean the air.
"Ground-level ozone is a lung irritant linked to many health problems, including asthma, lower birth weights and premature death". - Colorado Public Radio
The following map shows
The Prevalence of Adult Stroke, Asthma, and COPD
Sources: CDC, Esri, U.S. Census Bureau
Explore For Yourself
The following interactive map combines all of the pollution and health data from the previous sections into a single map and allows you to pan, zoom, and turn layers on and off. Click on the map to explore
Exploring Fossil Fuel Pollution and Related Health Impacts
Source: CDC, CEQ, EIA, EPA, Esri, Global Power Plant Database, U.S. Census Bureau
The following interactive dashboard from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) allows you to explore information about oil and gas well permits for he following categories. Click on the dashboard below to see information on: Pending Permits, Well Status, Plugged Wells, Production, Inspections, NOAVs, Notifications, Spills, and Operator Changes
Daily Activity Dashboard - COGCC
Daily Activity Dashboard of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
The following interactive map from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) allows you to explore pending and approved oil and gas wells throughout the State of Colorado.
COGCC GIS Online
Interactive Permit Map of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission