Current perspectives on unconventional shale gas extraction in the Appalachian Basin

Lampe, David J.; Stolz, John F.

doi:10.1080/10934529.2015.992653

Cited by 25 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Unconventional gas and oil drilling (UGOD), including hydraulic fracturing or “fracking”, refers to all activities that extract natural gas and oil from rock formations. At distances from 1 to 2 miles below the earth’s surface, tight rock formations impede natural gas and oil flow into a drill-hole [ 3 ]. Common reservoirs that contain natural gas and oils include: porous sandstones, limestones, dolomite rocks, shale rocks, and coal beds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unconventional Gas and Oil Drilling Is Associated with Increased Hospital Utilization Rates

et al. 2015

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Over the past ten years, unconventional gas and oil drilling (UGOD) has markedly expanded in the United States. Despite substantial increases in well drilling, the health consequences of UGOD toxicant exposure remain unclear. This study examines an association between wells and healthcare use by zip code from 2007 to 2011 in Pennsylvania. Inpatient discharge databases from the Pennsylvania Healthcare Cost Containment Council were correlated with active wells by zip code in three counties in Pennsylvania. For overall inpatient prevalence rates and 25 specific medical categories, the association of inpatient prevalence rates with number of wells per zip code and, separately, with wells per km2 (separated into quantiles and defined as well density) were estimated using fixed-effects Poisson models. To account for multiple comparisons, a Bonferroni correction with associations of p<0.00096 was considered statistically significant. Cardiology inpatient prevalence rates were significantly associated with number of wells per zip code (p<0.00096) and wells per km2 (p<0.00096) while neurology inpatient prevalence rates were significantly associated with wells per km2 (p<0.00096). Furthermore, evidence also supported an association between well density and inpatient prevalence rates for the medical categories of dermatology, neurology, oncology, and urology. These data suggest that UGOD wells, which dramatically increased in the past decade, were associated with increased inpatient prevalence rates within specific medical categories in Pennsylvania. Further studies are necessary to address healthcare costs of UGOD and determine whether specific toxicants or combinations are associated with organ-specific responses.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unconventional Gas and Oil Drilling Is Associated with Increased Hospital Utilization Rates

et al. 2015

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“…With the development of horizontal drilling and high volume hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," the energy industry can drill across shale formations and inject millions of gallons of chemical-laden water at high pressure to create fractures in the shale formation. These fractures release the hydrocarbons embedded in the shale (Lampe and Stolz 2015;McGraw 2012). UNGD is often referred to as "fracking," but fracking is just one step in a larger process of industrial shale gas development.…”

Section: Ungd and The Speckmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participatory Air Monitoring in the Midst of Uncertainty: Residents’ Experiences with the Speck Sensor

Matz

Wylie

Kriesky³

2017

Engaging STS

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How do participants engage in at-home air monitoring in the midst of uncertain exposures to airborne emissions associated with unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) activities?We investigate residents' experiences with the "Speck" particulate matter sensor with an emerging environmental health resource center called the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project (EHP). In response to the gaps in knowledge about the health impacts of UNGD and the growth citizen science tools, participatory environmental monitoring (PEM) projects have taken off in shale gas communities. Using interview and survey data from residents, advocates, and activists we show that residents use the Speck as: 1) "environmental health thermometers" to make real time decisions based on readings; 2) real-time tools of exposure-validation to immediately validate or invalidate suspicions of exposure; 3) "epistemic objects" or tools manipulated in exploratory ways to understand their efficacy in monitoring UNGD; and 4) passively by those who chose to rarely interact with the monitors and rather waited for overall analysis of results. While PEM's have been critiqued for potentially passing the burden of monitoring onto communities, our research shows PEM, when connected with Jacob Matz, Email: matz.j@husky.neu.edu

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“…It is possible that non-mining activity, such as construction or logging, could also lead to elevated PM concentrations and enrichment of certain species in the PM. The increased emphasis on natural gas extraction in the region may lead to new air quality concerns, as fracking fluids contain organic compounds that can escape into the atmosphere and aerated recycling ponds can be a source of air pollutant emissions [76]. Improving air quality in Central Appalachia may provide not just direct health benefits but also economic benefits, as the region is one of four areas in the US shown to have the greatest potential for "positive amenity values" of improved air quality [77].…”

Section: Air Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental health disparities in the Central Appalachian region of the United States

Krometis

Gohlke

Kolivras

et al. 2017

Reviews on Environmental Health

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AbstractHealth disparities that cannot be fully explained by socio-behavioral factors persist in the Central Appalachian region of the United States. A review of available studies of environmental impacts on Appalachian health and analysis of recent public data indicates that while disparities exist, most studies of local environmental quality focus on the preservation of nonhuman biodiversity rather than on effects on human health. The limited public health studies available focus primarily on the impacts of coal mining and do not measure personal exposure, constraining the ability to identify causal relationships between environmental conditions and public health. Future efforts must engage community members in examining all potential sources of environmental health disparities to identify effective potential interventions.

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Current perspectives on unconventional shale gas extraction in the Appalachian Basin

Cited by 25 publications

References 64 publications

Unconventional Gas and Oil Drilling Is Associated with Increased Hospital Utilization Rates

Unconventional Gas and Oil Drilling Is Associated with Increased Hospital Utilization Rates

Participatory Air Monitoring in the Midst of Uncertainty: Residents’ Experiences with the Speck Sensor

Environmental health disparities in the Central Appalachian region of the United States

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