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Inayat-Hussain SH, Fukumura M, Muiz Aziz A, Jin CM, Jin LW, Garcia-Milian R, Vasiliou V, Deziel NC. Prioritization of reproductive toxicants in unconventional oil and gas operations using a multi-country regulatory data-driven hazard assessment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 117:348-358. [PMID: 29793188 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent trends have witnessed the global growth of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production. Epidemiologic studies have suggested associations between proximity to UOG operations with increased adverse birth outcomes and cancer, though specific potential etiologic agents have not yet been identified. To perform effective risk assessment of chemicals used in UOG production, the first step of hazard identification followed by prioritization specifically for reproductive toxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity is crucial in an evidence-based risk assessment approach. To date, there is no single hazard classification list based on the United Nations Globally Harmonized System (GHS), with countries applying the GHS standards to generate their own chemical hazard classification lists. A current challenge for chemical prioritization, particularly for a multi-national industry, is inconsistent hazard classification which may result in misjudgment of the potential public health risks. We present a novel approach for hazard identification followed by prioritization of reproductive toxicants found in UOG operations using publicly available regulatory databases. METHODS GHS classification for reproductive toxicity of 157 UOG-related chemicals identified as potential reproductive or developmental toxicants in a previous publication was assessed using eleven governmental regulatory agency databases. If there was discordance in classifications across agencies, the most stringent classification was assigned. Chemicals in the category of known or presumed human reproductive toxicants were further evaluated for carcinogenicity and germ cell mutagenicity based on government classifications. A scoring system was utilized to assign numerical values for reproductive health, cancer and germ cell mutation hazard endpoints. Using a Cytoscape analysis, both qualitative and quantitative results were presented visually to readily identify high priority UOG chemicals with evidence of multiple adverse effects. RESULTS We observed substantial inconsistencies in classification among the 11 databases. By adopting the most stringent classification within and across countries, 43 chemicals were classified as known or presumed human reproductive toxicants (GHS Category 1), while 31 chemicals were classified as suspected human reproductive toxicants (GHS Category 2). The 43 reproductive toxicants were further subjected to analysis for carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Calculated hazard scores and Cytoscape visualization yielded several high priority chemicals including potassium dichromate, cadmium, benzene and ethylene oxide. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal diverging GHS classification outcomes for UOG chemicals across regulatory agencies. Adoption of the most stringent classification with application of hazard scores provides a useful approach to prioritize reproductive toxicants in UOG and other industries for exposure assessments and selection of safer alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salmaan H Inayat-Hussain
- Product Stewardship and Toxicology, Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Kuala Lumpur 50088, Malaysia; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06250, USA.
| | - Masao Fukumura
- Product Stewardship and Toxicology, Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Kuala Lumpur 50088, Malaysia
| | - A Muiz Aziz
- Product Stewardship and Toxicology, Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Kuala Lumpur 50088, Malaysia
| | - Chai Meng Jin
- Product Stewardship and Toxicology, Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Kuala Lumpur 50088, Malaysia
| | - Low Wei Jin
- Product Stewardship and Toxicology, Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Kuala Lumpur 50088, Malaysia
| | - Rolando Garcia-Milian
- Bioinformatics Support Program, Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06250, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06250, USA
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06250, USA
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McMullin TS, Bamber AM, Bon D, Vigil DI, Van Dyke M. Exposures and Health Risks from Volatile Organic Compounds in Communities Located near Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities in Colorado (U.S.A.). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15071500. [PMID: 30012994 PMCID: PMC6069077 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The study objective was to use a preliminary risk based framework to evaluate the sufficiency of existing air data to answer an important public health question in Colorado: Do volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted into the air from oil and gas (OG) operations result in exposures to Coloradoans living at or greater than current state setback distances (500 feet) from OG operations at levels that may be harmful to their health? We identified 56 VOCs emitted from OG operations in Colorado and compiled 47 existing air monitoring datasets that measured these VOCs in 34 locations across OG regions. From these data, we estimated acute and chronic exposures and compared these exposures to health guideline levels using maximum and mean air concentrations. Acute and chronic non-cancer hazard quotients were below one for all individual VOCs. Hazard indices combining exposures for all VOCs were slightly above one. Lifetime excess cancer risk estimates for benzene were between 1.0 × 10−5–3.6 × 10−5 and ethylbenzene was 7.3 × 10−6. This evaluation identified a small sub-set of VOCs, including benzene and n-nonane, which should be prioritized for additional exposure characterization in site-specific studies that collect comprehensive time-series measurements of community scale exposures to better assess community exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tami S McMullin
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive S, Denver, CO 80246, USA.
| | - Alison M Bamber
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive S, Denver, CO 80246, USA.
| | - Daniel Bon
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive S, Denver, CO 80246, USA.
| | - Daniel I Vigil
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive S, Denver, CO 80246, USA.
| | - Michael Van Dyke
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive S, Denver, CO 80246, USA.
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Silva GS, Warren JL, Deziel NC. Spatial Modeling to Identify Sociodemographic Predictors of Hydraulic Fracturing Wastewater Injection Wells in Ohio Census Block Groups. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:067008. [PMID: 29957590 PMCID: PMC6084846 DOI: 10.1289/ehp2663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydraulically fractured wells produce 2-14 million liters of wastewater, which may contain toxic and radioactive compounds. The wastewater is predominantly disposed of using Class II injection wells. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and injection well locations in Ohio. METHODS Using state and federal data sources, we classified Ohio census block groups by presence of injection wells, number of hydraulically fractured wells, sociodemographic factors (median household income, % white, population density, % ≥high school education, median age, voter turnout), and geographic information (land area, water area, situated over shale). We modeled the odds of having at least one injection well within a block group with respect to all covariates using three multivariable models incorporating different spatial components to account for similarities in neighboring block groups. RESULTS In bivariate analyses, block groups with injection wells (n=156) compared with those without (n=9,049) had lower population density (71 vs. 2,210 people/mi2 or 27 vs. 854 people/km2), larger median area (43.5 vs. 1.35 km2), higher median age (42.8 vs. 40.2 y), and higher % white (98.1% vs. 92.1%). After adjustment using a spatial logistic regression model, the odds of a block group containing an injection well were 16% lower per $10,000 increase in median income [odds ratio(OR)=0.837; 95% credible interval (CI): 0.719, 0.961] and 97% lower per 1,000 people/mi2 (or per 386 people/km2) increase (OR=0.030; 95% CI=0.008, 0.072). Block groups on shale and those containing fewer hydraulically fractured wells were more likely to include an injection well. Percentage white, median age, % ≥high school education, and % voter turnout were not significant predictors of injection well presence. CONCLUSION In Ohio, injection wells were inversely associated with block groups' median incomes after adjusting for other sociodemographic and geographic variables. Research is needed to determine whether residents in census blocks with injection wells face increased risk of chemical exposures or adverse health outcomes. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2663.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve S Silva
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Joshua L Warren
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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McKenzie LM, Blair B, Hughes J, Allshouse WB, Blake NJ, Helmig D, Milmoe P, Halliday H, Blake DR, Adgate JL. Ambient Nonmethane Hydrocarbon Levels Along Colorado's Northern Front Range: Acute and Chronic Health Risks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:4514-4525. [PMID: 29584423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Oil and gas (O&G) facilities emit air pollutants that are potentially a major health risk for nearby populations. We characterized prenatal through adult health risks for acute (1 h) and chronic (30 year) residential inhalation exposure scenarios to nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) for these populations. We used ambient air sample results to estimate and compare risks for four residential scenarios. We found that air pollutant concentrations increased with proximity to an O&G facility, as did health risks. Acute hazard indices for neurological (18), hematological (15), and developmental (15) health effects indicate that populations living within 152 m of an O&G facility could experience these health effects from inhalation exposures to benzene and alkanes. Lifetime excess cancer risks exceeded 1 in a million for all scenarios. The cancer risk estimate of 8.3 per 10 000 for populations living within 152 m of an O&G facility exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency's 1 in 10 000 upper threshold. These findings indicate that state and federal regulatory policies may not be protective of health for populations residing near O&G facilities. Health risk assessment results can be used for informing policies and studies aimed at reducing and understanding health effects associated with air pollutants emitted from O&G facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M McKenzie
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health , Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Benjamin Blair
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health , Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - John Hughes
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - William B Allshouse
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health , Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Nicola J Blake
- Department of Chemistry , University of California , Irvine , California 92617 , United States
| | - Detlev Helmig
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) , University of Colorado Boulder , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
| | - Pam Milmoe
- Boulder County Public Health , 1333 Iris Avenue , Boulder , Colorado 80304 , United States
| | | | - Donald R Blake
- Department of Chemistry , University of California , Irvine , California 92617 , United States
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health , Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
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Eluka-Okoludoh E, Ewunkem AJ, Thorpe S, Blanchard A, Muganda P. Diepoxybutane-induced apoptosis is mediated through the ERK1/2 pathway. Hum Exp Toxicol 2018; 37:1080-1091. [PMID: 29405768 DOI: 10.1177/0960327118755255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Diepoxybutane (DEB) is the most potent active metabolite of butadiene, a regulated air pollutant. We previously reported the occurrence of DEB-induced, p53-dependent, mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in human lymphoblasts. The present study investigated the role of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway in DEB-induced apoptotic signaling in exposed human lymphoblasts. Activated ERK1/2 and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/ERK1/2 kinase (MEK) levels were significantly upregulated in DEB-exposed human lymphoblasts. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 and ERK1/2 siRNA significantly inhibited apoptosis, ERK1/2 activation, as well as p53 and phospho-p53 (serine-15) levels in human lymphoblasts undergoing DEB-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that DEB induces apoptotic signaling through the MEK-ERK1/2-p53 pathway in human lymphoblasts. This is the first report implicating the activation of the ERK1/2 pathway and its subsequent role in mediating DEB-induced apoptotic signaling in human lymphoblasts. These findings contribute towards the understanding of DEB toxicity, as well as the signaling pathways mediating DEB-induced apoptosis in human lymphoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Eluka-Okoludoh
- 1 Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, USA.,2 Department of Energy and Environmental Systems, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - A J Ewunkem
- 2 Department of Energy and Environmental Systems, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - S Thorpe
- 1 Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - A Blanchard
- 1 Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - P Muganda
- 1 Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, USA
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Allshouse WB, Adgate JL, Blair BD, McKenzie LM. Spatiotemporal Industrial Activity Model for Estimating the Intensity of Oil and Gas Operations in Colorado. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:10243-10250. [PMID: 28715172 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Oil and gas (O&G) production in the United States has increased in the last 15 years, and operations, which are trending toward large multiwell pads, release hazardous air pollutants. Health studies have relied on proximity to O&G wells as an exposure metric, typically using an inverse distance-weighting (IDW) approach. Because O&G emissions are dependent on multiple factors, a dynamic model is needed to describe the variability in air pollution emissions over space and time. We used information on Colorado O&G activities, production volumes, and air pollutant emission rates from two Colorado basins to create a spatiotemporal industrial activity model to develop an intensity-adjusted IDW well-count metric. The Spearman correlation coefficient between this metric and measured pollutant concentrations was 0.74. We applied our model to households in Greeley, Colorado, which is in the middle of the densely developed Denver-Julesburg basin. Our intensity-adjusted IDW increased the unadjusted IDW dynamic range by a factor of 19 and distinguishes high-intensity events, such as hydraulic fracturing and flowback, from lower-intensity events, such as production at single-well pads. As the frequency of multiwell pads increases, it will become increasingly important to characterize the range of intensities at O&G sites when conducting epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B Allshouse
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health , Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health , Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Benjamin D Blair
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health , Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Lisa M McKenzie
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health , Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes the recent epidemiologic literature examining health outcomes in communities living close to unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) and identifies areas requiring further study. RECENT FINDINGS To date, these studies have been primarily retrospective in design and used self-report of health symptoms or electronic health databases to obtain outcome information. Proximity to UNGD is often used as a surrogate for exposure. There is preliminary evidence linking respiratory outcomes, including asthma exacerbations, and birth outcomes, such as reduced fetal growth and preterm birth, to UNGD; however, results differ across study populations and regions. SUMMARY Although small, the current body of literature suggests that living near UNGD may have negative health consequences for surrounding communities, but additional work using more granular estimates of exposure or personalized monitoring is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaina L. Stacy
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box G-S121-2, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
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