WHEELING – Dr. Mathew Wood has asked the Wheeling-Ohio County Board of Health to consider action against the “nuisance” of excessive noise produced by oil and gas operations in the county.

Wood, who is a member of the Board of Health and a private physician, said effects of noise pollution include sleep disturbance, anxiety and possible long-term cardiovascular disease consequences. He addressed the issue Tuesday at the board’s regular meeting.

“There is no black-and-white legislation in the state that prevents oil and gas (industries) from causing these types of nuisances to the public,” said Wood, who lives near a compressor on Peters Run Road. “I hear it all day and all night. … These oil and gas pads are extremely loud.”

During the meeting, Wood used a hand-held hairdryer and a sound meter to demonstrate noise produced by oil and gas operations. He said the sound of a hairdryer on a medium setting — 60 decibels — is the noise level heard 24/7, year-round, by residents near these sites.

“This constant noise is the average. It can get up to as high as this at times,” he said, switching the hairdryer to its high setting.

Wood said, “I would ask the board to open discussion to look into this issue with county residents and to be collaborating with oil and gas institutions for possible sound mitigation so that we are not having long-term health effects.”

Current state regulations require a 625-foot distance between the center of a well head and nearby residences, but a well pad site can encompass three acres, he said.

“We do not have a very large buffer between these well pad developments,” he said.

“I think that it is something that our residents are suffering from,” Wood said. “We do have a problem in this county.We don’t have coronavirus, but (noise) is an issue.”

Board chair Dr. John Holloway said noise pollution is a legitimate concern, but questioned what a county health department could do with limited resources.

“I think it’s very difficult to take on for an individual county. … I think it’s very difficult to address by ourselves,” Holloway said.