Researchers at Colorado State University in Fort Collins have shown that their testing measured much higher levels of toxins from the Galeton well blowout than state regulators had reported to the community. The accident in Weld County that sprayed a huge plume of oil, gas, chemicals and water for 4 days was the subject of research for students at CSU to better understand the health impacts to residents. They collected samples along the 1-2 mile long evacuation radius and found high levels of the carcinogen benzene and other contaminants. The detected levels were 2-3 times the amounts reported to the public by CDPHE.
Nearby residents were evacuated for weeks as their homes, yards, farms, and contaminated surfaces were scrubbed, repainted and cleaned. Some residents have not been allowed home after two months. The spill reached an elementary school which was closed, and oil seeped into nearby creeks. One oil worker was injured during the initial blowout accident.
