Air quality in the Industrial Heartland of Alberta, Canada and potential impacts on human health

Abstract The “Industrial Heartland” of Alberta is Canada’s largest hydrocarbon processing center, with more than 40 major chemical, petrochemical, and oil and gas facilities. Emissions from these industries affect local signair quality and human health. This paper characterizes ambient levels of 77 volatile organic compounds sign(VOCs) in the region using high-precision measurements collected in summer 2010. Remarkably strong enhancements […]

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Health Impacts of Shale Gas Extraction and Production

Larysa Dyrszka MD DRBC September 11, 2013 Completed health studies, both in the peer-reviewed literature and those initiated or reported by grassroots groups and the press, indicate that significant negative health impacts occur near gas exploration and production activities.  Emerging health studies, including the Geisinger and University of Pennsylvania studies will give a clearer picture […]

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Myths About Fracking Explained, #5: “Shale Gas Poses Minimal Risk to Public Health”

by Sandra Steingraber, PhD Distinguished Scholar in Residence Department of Environmental Studies Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York [email protected]  prepared remarks for presentation (via Skype) at the public conference, Unfracked: Why Shale Gas Should Stay in the Ground, European Parliament, Brussels, 5 September 2013 recorded livestream: http://www.greens-efa.eu/de/unfracked-10219.html Bonjour.  Guten Tag. Good morning from the Fingers Lakes […]

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An Evaluation of Water Quality in Private Drinking Water Wells Near Natural Gas Extraction Sites in the Barnett Shale Formation

Abstract Natural gas has become a leading source of alternative energy with the advent of techniques to economically extract gas reserves from deep shale formations. Here, we present an assessment of private well water quality in aquifers overlying the Barnett Shale formation of North Texas. We evaluated samples from 100 private drinking water wells using […]

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Challenges of Unconventional Shale Gas Development: So What’s the Rush?

Abstract The article discusses unconventional shale gas development (UGD) as of July 2013, focusing on U.S. natural gas production and the impact of UGD on energy utilization in America. Funding by the U.S. Department of Energy for shale gas extraction research and development is mentioned, along with water pollution and the direct health and environmental […]

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Differing Opinions about Natural Gas Drilling in Two Adjacent Counties with Different Levels of Drilling Activity

Abstract The pace of development of shale gas plays varies greatly among US states and globally. Through analysis of telephone survey responses, we explore support for natural gas drilling in residents of Washington County (WC), PA (n=502) vs. residents of Allegheny County (AC), PA (n=799). WC has had intense Marcellus Shale (MS) drilling activity, in […]

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Assessment and longitudinal analysis of health impacts and stressors perceived to result from unconventional shale gas development in the Marcellus Shale region

Abstract Introduction: Concerns for health and social impacts have arisen as a result of Marcellus Shale unconventional natural gas development. Our goal was to document the self-reported health impacts and mental and physical health stressors perceived to result from Marcellus Shale development.Methods: Two sets of interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of community members living proximal […]

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Increased stray gas abundance in a subset of drinking water wells near Marcellus shale gas extraction

Abstract Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are transforming energy production, but their potential environmental effects remain controversial. We analyzed 141 drinking water wells across the Appalachian Plateaus physiographic province of northeastern Pennsylvania, examining natural gas concentrations and isotopic signatures with proximity to shale gas wells. Methane was detected in 82% of drinking water samples, with […]

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