Environmental and individual PAH exposures near rural natural gas extraction

Abstract

Natural gas extraction (NGE) has expanded rapidly in the United States in recent years. Despite concerns, there is little information about the effects of NGE on air quality or personal exposures of people living or working nearby. Recent research suggests NGE emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into air. This study used low-density polyethylene passive samplers to measure concentrations of PAHs in air near active (n = 3) and proposed (n = 2) NGE sites. At each site, two concentric rings of air samplers were placed around the active or proposed well pad location. Silicone wristbands were used to assess personal PAH exposures of participants (n = 19) living or working near the sampling sites. All samples were analyzed for 62 PAHs using GC-MS/MS, and point sources were estimated using the fluoranthene/pyrene isomer ratio. ∑PAH was significantly higher in air at active NGE sites (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.01). PAHs in air were also more petrogenic (petroleum-derived) at active NGE sites. This suggests that PAH mixtures at active NGE sites may have been affected by direct emissions from petroleum sources at these sites. ∑PAH was also significantly higher in wristbands from participants who had active NGE wells on their properties than from participants who did not (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between ∑PAH in participants' wristbands and ∑PAH in air measured closest to participants' homes or workplaces (simple linear regression, p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that living or working near an active NGE well may increase personal PAH exposure. This work also supports the utility of the silicone wristband to assess personal PAH exposure.

A Case Study Describing a Community-Engaged Approach for Evaluating Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure in a Native American Community

“…Of the different chemical classes that were in the refinery air toxic release, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified as chemicals of interest that can be measured with the silicone passive sampling wristbands [7,14,15]. There are many different types of PAHs that are produced by natural and anthropogenic sources when organic materials are burned [16].…”

Discovery of common chemical exposures across three continents using silicone wristbands

“…Our series of QC throughout wristband conditioning, travelling, cleaning, extraction and analytical processes allowed us to account for any potential chemical contamination. For more QC results on specific projects, we refer to the related wristband manuscripts [21,24–26,29,30].…”

Fracking, yacimientos en roca generadora y salud humana: entre la incertidumbre y la precaución

“…Efectos tóxicos del fracking. Las mezclas químicas usadas como aditivos en el fracking pueden ser tóxicas para el ser humano 8,9 , tal cual se indica por análisis de los 105 aditivos más usados en Canadá 10 . Si bien como se citó al inicio, las concentraciones usadas para los aditivos son bajas, y al momento de iniciar su tránsito por la roca se diluyen hasta alcanzar concentraciones permitidas por la ley, es importante controlar que no se autorice el uso en Colombia de los aditivos que por su toxicidad ya han sido prohibidos en otras latitudes.…”