Reducing volatile organic compound emissions with a biofilter inoculated with synthetically engineered Escherichia coli

Abstract

Various byproducts of fracking, such as methane gas, benzene, and other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), have become a target for studies on health and environmental damage. These compounds are released during natural gas and petroleum extraction, and from the toxic residual water created from the fracking process. Although the long-term effects of some of these chemicals have yet to be determined, the elevated levels present in neighboring communities have been shown to cause an increase in the prevalence of acute respiratory, neurological, and reproductive diseases. In order to reduce the levels of these harmful airborne pollutants, we propose the creation of a biofilter inoculated with genetically engineered bacteria designed to metabolize VOCs and convert them into safer end products.