Bolstered by new research highlighting the potential health risks, local and state officials are ramping up efforts to halt the expansion of a natural gas compressor station in Brookfield, Connecticut. The facility, located near residential areas and just 1,900 feet from Whisconier Middle School, has sparked concerns over increased exposure to harmful emissions.
The proposed expansion would lead to higher emissions of toxic substances such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, according to a recent study titled “Potential Impacts of the Expanded Iroquois Compressor Station in Brookfield, CT.”
“Exposure to these airborne toxins can result in lung irritation, difficulty breathing, a heightened risk of respiratory conditions like asthma, and exacerbation of existing respiratory or heart problems,” the study noted. It was commissioned by the Sierra Club and authored by Beth I. Weinberger of Thimble Creek Research and Sherry Van Lange of Eco Essential Solutions.
The findings have intensified opposition to the project, with officials advocating for its cancellation to protect the health of local residents.