Resource Documentation on the Health Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing
The following is a compilation of scientific studies, expert testimony and journalistic articles about the detrimental health impacts of gas drilling.
March 19, 2012, AURORA, Colo. — In a new study, researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health have shown that air pollution caused by hydraulic fracturing or fracking may contribute to acute and chronic health problems for those living near natural gas drilling sites.
In 2008, professionals from the Colorado School of Public Health prepared a study titled, “Potential Exposure Related Human Health Effects of Oil & Gas Development”. Its purpose was to review the known contaminants associated with oil and gas exploration, drilling, extraction and production. The issues laid out in this report form the outline of additional studies that need to be done now that we have have more experience with the detrimental effects of gas and oil drilling on human and animal health.
Small doses of chemicals that are endocrine disruptors, which have been identified as being present in fracking fluid can have big health effects. That is a main finding of a new report - Hormones and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Low-Dose Effects and Nonmonotonic Dose Responses, three years in the making, published on March 14, 2012 by a team of 12 scientists who study hormone-altering chemicals.
On February 1, 2012, Marily J. Heine, MD, President, Pennsylvania Medical Society issued a press release, “What happens when the doctor doesn’t know?” about the need to conduct epidemiological studies to educate doctors and the public about the best way to keep communities that are being fracked healthy.
Ronald E. Bishop’s, (Ph.D., CHO Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department State University of New York, College at Oneonta), in depth study “Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York” makes the case that on the basis of recent historical performance, fracking poses significant chemical and biological hazards to human health and ecosystem stability.
Sandra Steingraber is an acclaimed ecologist and author who explores the links between human rights and the environment with a focus on chemical contamination. “The Whole Fracking Enchilada” is just one of the many articles she has written about the danger of tracking to our health and the environment.
The Battlement Mesa, Colorado Health Impact Assessment was done to address citizen concerns about the health impacts of natural gas development and production in Battlement Mesa, CO.
The Town of DISH, TX, Ambient Air Monitoring Analysis was commissioned by the Mayor of DISH, TX to study health problems including nausea, headaches, breathing difficulties, chronic eye and throat irritation and brain disorders that developed after gas drilling compressor stations were built in their town.
The EPA Draft Findings of Pavillion, Wyoming Ground Water Investigation, detected synthetic chemicals, like the ones used in hydraulic fracturing, in aquifers. Earthworks did the following studies in response to resident health problems after gas drilling came to DISH, TX and Pavillion, WY:
Town of DISH, TX Community Health Survey and Town of Pavillion, WY Community Health Survey
Children in Texas Towns Hit with Asthma Epidemic
U.S. Congressional testimony by Dr. Conrad Dan Volz, University of Pittsburgh, on natural gas drilling and water-related public health impacts. PEHSU Information Concerning Effects on Children of Natural Gas Extraction and Hydraulic Fracturing –details the special vulnerability of children to the environmental hazards associated with gas drilling using hydraulic fracturing.
“Impacts of Gas Drilling on Human and Animal Health” a study by Cornell veterinary doctors, Michelle Bamberger and Robert E. Oswald examines the premise that because animals often are exposed continually to air, soil and groundwater and have more frequent reproductive cycles, they can be use as sentinels to monitor impacts to human health.
Hydrogen Sulfide, Oil and Gas and People’s Health –documents the impacts on human health caused by the hydrogen sulfide that is associated with oil and gas development.
The Endocrine Disruption Exchange website has a wealth of information on the toxins that are part of natural gas operations and also has links to articles and research papers by top scientists including Theo Colborn, Carol Kwiatkowski, Kim Schultz, and Mary Bachran, “Natural Gas Operations from a Public Health Perspective.” International Journal of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment):
Presentations at the Health Effects of Shale Gas Conference, University of Pittsburgh (November 18, 2011)
Effect of Drilling Fluid Exposure to Oil and Gas Workers
Earthworks Oil and Gas Accountability Project page on health & toxics
Presentations at the Peoples Oil and Gas Summit 2010 (Scroll to Panel 1: Health impacts from drilling, fracking, waste pits and gas production).
Oil, a Lifecycle Analysis of its Health and Environmental Impacts
A combination of government agencies and researchers at the University of Ottawa conducted a review of the Epidemiologic Evidence of Relationships Between Reproductive and Child Health Outcomes and Environmental Chemical Contaminants in May 2008. The review summarizes the level of epidemiologic evidence for relationships between prenatal and/or early life exposure to environmental chemical contaminants and fetal, child, and adult health. Discussion focuses on fetal loss, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, birth defects, respiratory and other childhood diseases, neuropsychological deficits, premature or delayed sexual maturation, and certain adult cancers linked to fetal or childhood exposures.