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González DJX, Morton CM, Hill LAL, Michanowicz DR, Rossi RJ, Shonkoff SBC, Casey JA, Morello‐Frosch R. Temporal Trends of Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Population Exposures to Upstream Oil and Gas Development in California. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000690. [PMID: 36968155 PMCID: PMC10035325 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
People living near oil and gas development are exposed to multiple environmental stressors that pose health risks. Some studies suggest these risks are higher for racially and socioeconomically marginalized people, which may be partly attributable to disparities in exposures. We examined whether racially and socioeconomically marginalized people in California are disproportionately exposed to oil and gas wells and associated hazards. We longitudinally assessed exposure to wells during three time periods (2005-2009, 2010-2014, and 2015-2019) using sociodemographic data at the census block group-level. For each block group and time period, we assessed exposure to new, active, retired, and plugged wells, and cumulative production volume. We calculated risk ratios to determine whether marginalized people disproportionately resided near wells (within 1 km). Averaged across the three time periods, we estimated that 1.1 million Californians (3.0%) lived within 1 km of active wells. Nearly 9 million Californians (22.9%) lived within 1 km of plugged wells. The proportion of Black residents near active wells was 42%-49% higher than the proportion of Black residents across California, and the proportion of Hispanic residents near active wells was 4%-13% higher than their statewide proportion. Disparities were greatest in areas with the highest oil and gas production, where the proportion of Black residents was 105%-139% higher than statewide. Socioeconomically marginalized residents also had disproportionately high exposure to wells. Though oil and gas production has declined in California, marginalized communities persistently had disproportionately high exposure to wells, potentially contributing to health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. X. González
- Division of Environmental Health SciencesSchool of Public HealthUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCAUSA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Claire M. Morton
- Mathematical and Computational Science ProgramStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | | | | | | | - Seth B. C. Shonkoff
- Division of Environmental Health SciencesSchool of Public HealthUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCAUSA
- PSE Healthy EnergyOaklandCAUSA
- Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryEnergy Technologies AreaBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Joan A. Casey
- Department of Environmental Health SciencesColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health SciencesUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Rachel Morello‐Frosch
- Division of Environmental Health SciencesSchool of Public HealthUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCAUSA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCAUSA
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2
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Gonzalez DJX, Nardone A, Nguyen AV, Morello-Frosch R, Casey JA. Historic redlining and the siting of oil and gas wells in the United States. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:76-83. [PMID: 35418707 PMCID: PMC9556657 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00434-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of active or inactive (i.e., postproduction) oil and gas wells in neighborhoods may contribute to ongoing pollution. Racially discriminatory neighborhood security maps developed by the Home-Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) in the 1930s may contribute to environmental exposure disparities. OBJECTIVE To determine whether receiving worse HOLC grades was associated with exposure to more oil and gas wells. METHODS We assessed exposure to oil and gas wells among HOLC-graded neighborhoods in 33 cities from 13 states where urban oil and gas wells were drilled and operated. Among the 17 cities for which 1940 census data were available, we used propensity score restriction and matching to compare well exposure neighborhoods that were similar on observed 1940 sociodemographic characteristics but that received different grades. RESULTS Across all included cities, redlined D-graded neighborhoods had 12.2 ± 27.2 wells km-2, nearly twice the density in neighborhoods graded A (6.8 ± 8.9 wells km-2). In propensity score restricted and matched analyses, redlined neighborhoods had 2.0 (1.3, 2.7) more wells than comparable neighborhoods with a better grade. SIGNIFICANCE Our study adds to the evidence that structural racism in federal policy is associated with the disproportionate siting of oil and gas wells in marginalized neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J X Gonzalez
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Anthony Nardone
- University of California (UC) Berkeley-UC San Francisco (UCSF) Joint Medical Program, UC Berkeley School of Public Health and UCSF School of Medicine, Berkeley and San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew V Nguyen
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joan A Casey
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
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Li L, Dominici F, Blomberg AJ, Bargagli-Stoffi FJ, Schwartz JD, Coull BA, Spengler JD, Wei Y, Lawrence J, Koutrakis P. Exposure to Unconventional Oil and Gas Development and All-cause Mortality in Medicare Beneficiaries. NATURE ENERGY 2022; 7:177-185. [PMID: 35425643 PMCID: PMC9004666 DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00970-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about whether exposure to unconventional oil and gas development is associated with higher mortality risks in the elderly and whether related air pollutants are exposure pathways. We studied a cohort of 15,198,496 Medicare beneficiaries (136,215,059 person-years) in all major U.S. unconventional exploration regions from 2001 to 2015. We gathered data from records of more than 2.5 million oil and gas wells. For each beneficiary's ZIP code of residence and year in the cohort, we calculated a proximity-based and a downwind-based pollutant exposure. We analyzed the data using two methods: Cox proportional hazards model and Difference-in-Differences. We found evidence of statistically significant higher mortality risk associated with living in proximity to and downwind of unconventional oil and gas wells. Our results suggest that primary air pollutants sourced from unconventional oil and gas exploration can be a major exposure pathway with adverse health effects in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longxiang Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Dominici
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annelise J. Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Joel D. Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A. Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John D. Spengler
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yaguang Wei
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joy Lawrence
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Wang TC, Chang TY, Tyler RS, Hwang BF, Chen YH, Wu CM, Liu CS, Chen KC, Lin CD, Tsai MH. Association between exposure to road traffic noise and hearing impairment: a case-control study. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2021; 19:1483-1489. [PMID: 34900282 PMCID: PMC8617107 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00704-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Noise pollution in urban areas is increasing steadily, and the study of road traffic noises and their effects on the auditory system was rare. This study investigated the potential effects of road traffic noise on auditory systems and hearing. METHODS A case-control study recruited outpatients from the Otolaryngology department. The case group (n = 41) had binaural hearing loss (HL) of standard pure-tone average(PTA) ≥ 25 dB or high frequency PTA ≥ 25 dB, while the control group (n = 39) had binaural hearing level of any frequency < 25 dB. Detailed otologic evaluations were performed. Between-group data were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Case or control group was identified based on the audiogram. RESULTS A total of 80 subjects were recruited, including 41 with hearing impairment and 39 as control. The mean exposure level of road traffic noise was significantly higher in the case group than the control group (p = 0.005). A crude OR of 5.78 showed an increased risk of greater than 70 dB of road traffic noise on hearing impairment and tinnitus (p < 0.001). The aOR of 9.24 (p = 0.002) from a multiple variate analysis suggested that road traffic noise levels greater than 70 dB may have a damaging effect on hearing. Damaging effects on hearing persisted even after adjusting for confounders in the full multivariate model (aOR of 9.24 [95% CI: 2.198-38.869]; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Exposing to road traffic noise greater than 70 dB showed an increased risk of damage to the auditory system. These results might help public health administrators and physicians to develop programs that address the health dangers of noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tang-Chuan Wang
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Yuan Chang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 91, Xueshi Rd., North Dist, Taichung City, 404394 Taiwan
| | - Richard S. Tyler
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA
| | - Bing-Fang Hwang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 91, Xueshi Rd., North Dist, Taichung City, 404394 Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Che-Ming Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Shong Liu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Chao Chen
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Der Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsui Tsai
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Denham A, Willis MD, Croft DP, Liu L, Hill EL. Acute myocardial infarction associated with unconventional natural gas development: A natural experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110872. [PMID: 33581094 PMCID: PMC7987810 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whereas it is plausible that unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) may adversely affect cardiovascular health, little is currently known. We investigate whether UNGD is associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS In this observational study leveraging the natural experiment generated by New York's ban on hydraulic fracturing, we analyzed the relationship between age- and sex-specific county-level AMI hospitalization and mortality rates and three UNGD drilling measures. This longitudinal panel analysis compares Pennsylvania and New York counties on the Marcellus Shale observed over 2005-2014 (N = 2840 county-year-quarters). RESULTS A hundred cumulative wells is associated with 0.26 more hospitalizations per 10,000 males 45-54y.o. (95% CI 0.07,0.46), 0.40 more hospitalizations per 10,000 males 65-74y.o. (95% CI 0.09,0.71), 0.47 more hospitalizations per 10,000 females 65-74y.o. (95% CI 0.18,0.77) and 1.11 more hospitalizations per 10,000 females 75y.o.+ (95% CI 0.39,1.82), translating into 1.4-2.8% increases. One additional well per square mile is associated with 2.63 more hospitalizations per 10,000 males 45-54y.o. (95% CI 0.67,4.59) and 9.7 hospitalizations per 10,000 females 75y.o.+ (95% CI 1.92,17.42), 25.8% and 24.2% increases, respectively. As for mortality rates, a hundred cumulative wells is associated with an increase of 0.09 deaths per 10,000 males 45-54y.o. (95% CI 0.02,0.16), a 5.3% increase. CONCLUSIONS Cumulative UNGD is associated with increased AMI hospitalization rates among middle-aged men, older men and older women as well as with increased AMI mortality among middle-aged men. Our findings lend support for increased awareness about cardiovascular risks of UNGD and scaled-up AMI prevention as well as suggest that bans on hydraulic fracturing can be protective for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Denham
- Department of Public Health Sciences School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester 265 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States
| | - Mary D Willis
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Daniel P Croft
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States
| | - Linxi Liu
- Department of Public Health Sciences School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester 265 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States
| | - Elaine L Hill
- Department of Public Health Sciences School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester 265 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States.
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Hong J, Kang H, An J, Choi J, Hong T, Park HS, Lee DE. Towards environmental sustainability in the local community: Future insights for managing the hazardous pollutants at construction sites. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 403:123804. [PMID: 33264906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although various technologies are being developed in the construction industry, management technologies for achieving environmental sustainability in the local community are still lacking. As such, this study suggests future insights for the development of an automated intelligent environment management system for the promotion of environmental sustainability in the local community, through a systematic review of 1,707 relevant literature. The systematic review was conducted in two steps: (i) quantitative review: keyword co-occurrence and trend analysis; and (ii) qualitative review: a review on monitoring, evaluation, and improvement technologies. As a result, the research level related to the local-level pollutants (noise, vibration, and dust) was found to be quantitatively insufficient, and the limitations of the existing technologies for these pollutants were presented. Eventually, to overcome these limitations, new technologies and application strategies that can be applied to construction sites as future research roadmap to effectively manage the hazardous pollutants were proposed. Furthermore, an intelligent management system should be developed, and the management of environmental complaints is also necessary for environmental sustainability at the local level in the construction industry. As a fundamental study, this study could become a benchmark for future researches dealing with environmental sustainability and hazardous pollutants in the construction industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juwon Hong
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyuna Kang
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jongbaek An
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jinwoo Choi
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Taehoon Hong
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyo Seon Park
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dong-Eun Lee
- School of Arch, Civil, Environment, and Energy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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Alahmad B, Khraishah H. Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Heart Failure: Accumulating Epidemiological Evidence. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020; 76:2875-2877. [PMID: 33303077 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barrak Alahmad
- Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Haitham Khraishah
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Unconventional oil and gas development and ambient particle radioactivity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5002. [PMID: 33051463 PMCID: PMC7553919 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18226-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Unconventional oil and natural gas development (UOGD) expanded extensively in the United States from the early 2000s. However, the influence of UOGD on the radioactivity of ambient particulate is not well understood. We collected the ambient particle radioactivity (PR) measurements of RadNet, a nationwide environmental radiation monitoring network. We obtained the information of over 1.5 million wells from the Enverus database. We investigated the association between the upwind UOGD well count and the downwind gross-beta radiation with adjustment for environmental factors governing the natural emission and transport of radioactivity. Our statistical analysis found that an additional 100 upwind UOGD wells within 20 km is associated with an increase of 0.024 mBq/m3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.020, 0.028 mBq/m3) in the gross-beta particle radiation downwind. Based on the published health analysis of PR, the widespread UOGD could induce adverse health effects to residents living close to UOGD by elevating PR.
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9
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Low-Frequency Noise and Its Main Effects on Human Health—A Review of the Literature between 2016 and 2019. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10155205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
This paper summarizes the presently available knowledge about the association between low-frequency noise and its effects on health. A database was constructed with a total of 142 articles published between 2016 and 2019 regarding low-frequency noise exposure and its effects on health. A total of 39 articles were analysed in depth. The articles were divided into categories according to the effects on human health addressed. Regarding the emitting source, there was a greater number of articles addressing issues related to sources of environmental noise and noise from wind turbines. As for the effects generated on human health, there was a greater number of articles referring to the effects on sleep disorders, discomfort, sensitivity to and irritability from noise, annoyance, hearing loss, and cardiovascular diseases, and these effects are analysed in more detail in the present article.
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Tran KV, Casey JA, Cushing LJ, Morello-Frosch R. Residential Proximity to Oil and Gas Development and Birth Outcomes in California: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 2006-2015 Births. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:67001. [PMID: 32490702 PMCID: PMC7268907 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies suggest associations between oil and gas development (OGD) and adverse birth outcomes, but few epidemiological studies of oil wells or inactive wells exist, and none in California. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between residential proximity to OGD and birth outcomes in California. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2,918,089 births to mothers living within 10 km of at least one production well between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015. We estimated exposure during pregnancy to inactive wells count (no inactive wells, 1 well, 2-5 wells, 6+ wells) and production volume from active wells in barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) (no BOE, 1-100 BOE/day, >100 BOE/day). We used generalized estimating equations to examine associations between overall and trimester-specific OGD exposures and term birth weight (tBW), low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age birth (SGA). We assessed effect modification by urban/rural community type. RESULTS Adjusted models showed exposure to active OGD was associated with adverse birth outcomes in rural areas; effect estimates in urban areas were close to null. In rural areas, increasing production volume was associated with stronger adverse effect estimates. High (>100 BOE/day) vs. no production throughout pregnancy was associated with increased odds of LBW [odds ratio (OR)=1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 1.71] and SGA (OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.45), and decreased tBW (mean difference = -36 grams, 95% CI: -54, -17), but not with PTB (OR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.18). CONCLUSION Proximity to higher production OGD in California was associated with adverse birth outcomes among mothers residing in rural areas. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings in other populations and improve exposure assessment measures. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5842.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy V Tran
- School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Joan A Casey
- School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lara J Cushing
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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Johnston JE, Chau K, Franklin M, Cushing L. Environmental Justice Dimensions of Oil and Gas Flaring in South Texas: Disproportionate Exposure among Hispanic communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:6289-6298. [PMID: 32338877 PMCID: PMC8915929 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Unconventional extraction techniques including hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" have led to a boom in oil and gas production in the Eagle Ford shale play, Texas, one of the most productive regions in the United States. Nearly 400000 people live within 5 km of an unconventional oil or gas well in this largely rural area. Flaring is associated primarily with unconventional oil wells and is an increasingly common practice in the Eagle Ford to dispose of excess gas through combustion. Flares can operate continuously for months and release hazardous air pollutants such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds in addition to causing light and noise pollution and noxious odors. We estimated ethnic disparities in exposure to flaring using satellite observations from the Visible Infrared Imaging Spectroradiometer between March 2012-December 2016. Census blocks with majority Hispanic (>60%) populations were exposed to twice as many nightly flare events within 5 km as those with <20% Hispanics. We found that Hispanics were exposed to more flares despite being less likely than non-Hispanic White residents to live near unconventional oil and gas wells. Our findings suggest Hispanics are disproportionately exposed to flares in the Eagle Ford shale, a pattern known as environmental injustice, which could contribute to disparities in air pollution and other nuisance exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill E. Johnston
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles California 90032, United States
| | - Khang Chau
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles California 90032, United States
| | - Meredith Franklin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles California 90032, United States
| | - Lara Cushing
- Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco California, 94132, United States
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12
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Johnston J, Cushing L. Chemical Exposures, Health, and Environmental Justice in Communities Living on the Fenceline of Industry. Curr Environ Health Rep 2020; 7:48-57. [PMID: 31970715 PMCID: PMC7035204 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-020-00263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Polluting industries are more likely to be located in low-income communities of color who also experience greater social stressors that may make them more vulnerable than others to the health impacts of toxic chemical exposures. We describe recent developments in assessing pollutant exposures and health threats posed by industrial facilities using or releasing synthetic chemicals to nearby communities in the U.S. RECENT FINDINGS More people are living near oil and gas development due to the expansion of unconventional extraction techniques as well as near industrial animal operations, both with suggestive evidence of increased exposure to hazardous pollutants and adverse health effects. Legacy contamination continues to adversely impact a new generation of residents in fenceline communities, with recent studies documenting exposures to toxic metals and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Researchers are also giving consideration to acute exposures resulting from inadvertent industrial chemical releases, including those resulting from extreme weather events linked to climate change. Natural experiments of industrial closures or cleanups provide compelling evidence that exposures from industry harm the health of nearby residents. New and legacy industries, coupled with climate change, present unique health risks to communities living near industry due to the release of toxic chemicals. Cumulative impacts from multiple stressors faced by environmental justice communities may amplify these adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Johnston
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Lara Cushing
- Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
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13
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McKenzie LM, Allshouse W, Daniels S. Congenital heart defects and intensity of oil and gas well site activities in early pregnancy. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 132:104949. [PMID: 31327466 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary studies suggest that offspring to mothers living near oil and natural gas (O&G) well sites are at higher risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs). OBJECTIVES Our objective was to address the limitations of previous studies in a new and more robust evaluation of the relationship between maternal proximity to O&G well site activities and births with CHDs. METHODS We employed a nested case-control study of 3324 infants born in Colorado between 2005 and 2011. 187, 179, 132, and 38 singleton births with an aortic artery and valve (AAVD), pulmonary artery and valve (PAVD), conotruncal (CTD), or tricuspid valve (TVD) defect, respectively, were frequency matched 1:5 to controls on sex, maternal smoking, and race and ethnicity yielding 2860 controls. We estimated monthly intensities of O&G activity at maternal residences from three months prior to conception through the second gestational month with our intensity adjusted inverse distance weighted model. We used logistic regression models adjusted for O&G facilities other than wells, intensity of air pollution sources not associated with O&G activities, maternal age and socioeconomic status index, and infant sex and parity, to evaluate associations between CHDs and O&G activity intensity groups (low, medium, and high). RESULTS Overall, CHDs were 1.4 (1.0, 2.0) and 1.7 (1.1, 2.6) times more likely than controls in the medium and high intensity groups, respectively, compared to the low intensity group. PAVDs were 1.7 (0.93, 3.0) and 2.5 (1.1, 5.3) times more likely in the medium and high intensity groups for mothers with an address found in the second gestational month. In rural areas, AAVDs, CTDs, and TVDs were 1.8 (0.97, 3.3) and 2.6 (1.1, 6.1); 2.1 (0.96, 4.5) and 4.0 (1.4, 12); and 3.4 (0.95, 12) and 4.6 (0.81, 26) times more likely than controls in the medium and high intensity groups. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further evidence of a positive association between maternal proximity to O&G well site activities and several types of CHDs, particularly in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M McKenzie
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - William Allshouse
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stephen Daniels
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Kroepsch AC, Maniloff PT, Adgate JL, McKenzie LM, Dickinson KL. Environmental Justice in Unconventional Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Production: A Critical Review and Research Agenda. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:6601-6615. [PMID: 31117531 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The drilling phase of oil and natural gas development is a growing area of environmental justice (EJ) research, particularly in the United States. Its emergence complements the longstanding EJ scholarship on later phases of the oil and gas commodity chain, such as pipeline transport, refining, and consumption. The growing scholarly attention to the EJ implications of drilling has been prompted by the surge in development of unconventional oil and gas resources in recent decades. More specifically, the oil and gas industry's adoption of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (a.k.a., "fracking" or "fracing") as methods for extracting oil and gas from a wider range of geologic formations has simultaneously heightened oil and gas production, brought extractive activities closer to more people, intensified them, and made well pad siting more flexible. Here, we provide a critical review of the novel EJ research questions that are being prompted by these on-the-ground changes in extractive techniques and patterns, propose an interdisciplinary conceptual framework for guiding EJ inquiry in this context, discuss key methodological considerations, and propose a research agenda to motivate future inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianne C Kroepsch
- Colorado School of Mines , 1500 Illinois Street , Golden , Colorado 80104 , United States
| | - Peter T Maniloff
- Colorado School of Mines , 1500 Illinois Street , Golden , Colorado 80104 , United States
| | - John L Adgate
- Colorado School of Public Health , University of Colorado Denver , 13001 E. 17th Place, Campus Box B119 , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Lisa M McKenzie
- Colorado School of Public Health , University of Colorado Denver , 13001 E. 17th Place, Campus Box B119 , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Katherine L Dickinson
- Colorado School of Public Health , University of Colorado Denver , 13001 E. 17th Place, Campus Box B119 , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
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15
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Allshouse WB, McKenzie LM, Barton K, Brindley S, Adgate JL. Community Noise and Air Pollution Exposure During the Development of a Multi-Well Oil and Gas Pad. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:7126-7135. [PMID: 31136715 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) in the United States is increasingly being conducted on multiwell pads (MWPs) and in residential areas. We measured air pollution, noise, and truck traffic during four distinct phases of UOGD: drilling, hydraulic fracturing, flowback, and production. We monitored particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), A-weighted (dBA), and C-weighted (dBC) noise using real-time instruments on 1 and 5 min time scales, and truck traffic for 4-7 days per phase at a large 22-well pad sited in a residential area of Weld County, Colorado. Hydraulic fracturing, which requires frequent truck trips to move supplies and diesel engines to power the process, had the highest median air pollution levels of PM2.5 and BC and experienced the greatest number of heavy trucks per hour compared to other phases. Median air pollution was lowest during drilling at this MWP, possibly because an electric drill rig was used. The equivalent continuous noise level ( Leq) exceeded guidelines of 50 dBA and 65 dBC for A-weighted and C-weighted noise, respectively, during all development phases. Our data show that these multiple stressors are present around the clock at these sites, and this work provides baseline measurements on likely human exposure levels near similarly sized MWPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Kelsey Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Stephen Brindley
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , 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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16
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McKenzie LM, Crooks J, Peel JL, Blair BD, Brindley S, Allshouse WB, Malin S, Adgate JL. Relationships between indicators of cardiovascular disease and intensity of oil and natural gas activity in Northeastern Colorado. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 170:56-64. [PMID: 30557692 PMCID: PMC6360130 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oil and natural gas (O&G) extraction emits pollutants that are associated with cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in the United States. OBJECTIVE We evaluated associations between intensity of O&G activity and cardiovascular disease indicators. METHODS Between October 2015 and May 2016, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 97 adults living in Northeastern Colorado. For each participant, we collected 1-3 measurements of augmentation index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)- 1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). We modelled the intensity of O&G activity by weighting O&G well counts within 16 km of a participant's home by intensity and distance. We used linear models accounting for repeated measures within person to evaluate associations. RESULTS Adjusted mean augmentation index differed by 6.0% (95% CI: 0.6, 11.4%) and 5.1% (95%CI: -0.1, 10.4%) between high and medium, respectively, and low exposure tertiles. The greatest mean IL-1β, and α-TNF plasma concentrations were observed for participants in the highest exposure tertile. IL-6 and IL-8 results were consistent with a null result. For participants not taking prescription medications, the adjusted mean SBP differed by 6 and 1 mm Hg (95% CIs: 0.1, 13 mm Hg and -6, 8 mm Hg) between the high and medium, respectively, and low exposure tertiles. DBP results were similar. For participants taking prescription medications, SBP and DBP results were consistent with a null result. CONCLUSIONS Despite limitations, our results support associations between O&G activity and augmentation index, SBP, DBP, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Our study was not able to elucidate possible mechanisms or environmental stressors, such as air pollution and noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M McKenzie
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - James Crooks
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer L Peel
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Benjamin D Blair
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stephen Brindley
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - William B Allshouse
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stephanie Malin
- Department of Sociology & Colorado School of Public Health, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
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Blair BD, Brindley S, Hughes J, Dinkeloo E, McKenzie LM, Adgate JL. Measuring environmental noise from airports, oil and gas operations, and traffic with smartphone applications: laboratory and field trials. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2018; 28:548-558. [PMID: 30283068 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-018-0077-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental noise from sources such as traffic, airports, and oil and gas (O&G) operations is associated with nuisance and health concerns. Smartphones with external microphones have been recommended for environmental noise monitoring and may be useful tools for citizen science, but are not validated against reference methods. We evaluated laboratory performance of three smartphone/application (app) configurations recommended for environmental noise measurement. Two smartphone/app configurations were also compared to a reference sampler, a type 1 sound level meter (SLM) at ten outdoor sites with traffic, airport, and O&G noise. To evaluate performance, we compared the mean squared error, variance, bias, and Krippendorff's Alpha by smartphone/app combination and testing location for both audible (A-weighted) and low-frequency (C-weighted) noise. We observed that laboratory measurements were in strong agreement with a reference sampler. The field A-weighted noise level results had strong agreement with the SLM at several outdoor sites, but our C-weighted noise results ranged from moderate to substantial agreement. For our tested configurations, we find that smartphones with external microphones are reliable proxies for measuring A- and C-weighted noise in a laboratory setting. Outdoor performance depends on noise source type, weighting, and precision and accuracy needs of the investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Blair
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stephen Brindley
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John Hughes
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eero Dinkeloo
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - John L Adgate
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
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18
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Mayer A. Contingency, cost, and a fracking ban: Extending sociological research with the contingent valuation method. METHODOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/2059799118790741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Documenting patterns of environmental concerns has been a core effort of environmental sociology since the founding of the sub-discipline. Environmental economists, on the other hand, are pre-occupied with the valuation of non-market goods like ecosystems services and environmental policy. In this article, we argue that sociologists should cautiously embrace non-market valuation methods, particularly the contingent valuation method. We provide a motivating empirical example by considering the case of support for a fracking ban among residents of Colorado, USA. Our analysis suggests that Colorado residents’ support for a fracking ban is somewhat contingent upon the costs created by said ban. We then conclude by discussing how sociologists might extend research on non-market valuation with sociological insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Mayer
- Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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