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Willis MD, Campbell EJ, Selbe S, Koenig MR, Gradus JL, Nillni YI, Casey JA, Deziel NC, Hatch EE, Wesselink AK, Wise LA. Residential Proximity to Oil and Gas Development and Mental Health in a North American Preconception Cohort Study: 2013-2023. Am J Public Health 2024:e1-e12. [PMID: 38991173 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2024.307730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Objectives. To evaluate associations between oil and gas development (OGD) and mental health using cross-sectional data from a preconception cohort study, Pregnancy Study Online. Methods. We analyzed baseline data from a prospective cohort of US and Canadian women aged 21 to 45 years who were attempting conception without fertility treatment (2013-2023). We developed residential proximity measures for active OGD during preconception, including distance from nearest site. At baseline, participants completed validated scales for perceived stress (10-item Perceived Stress Scale, PSS) and depressive symptoms (Major Depression Inventory, MDI) and reported psychotropic medication use. We used log-binomial regression and restricted cubic splines to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. Among 5725 participants across 37 states and provinces, residence at 2 km versus 20 to 50 km of active OGD was associated with moderate to high perceived stress (PSS ≥ 20 vs < 20: PR = 1.08; 95% CI = 0.98, 1.18), moderate to severe depressive symptoms (MDI ≥ 20 vs < 20: PR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.11, 1.45), and psychotropic medication use (PR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.97, 1.28). Conclusions. Among North American pregnancy planners, closer proximity to OGD was associated with adverse preconception mental health symptomatology. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print July 11, 2024:e1-e12. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307730).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary D Willis
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Erin J Campbell
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Sophie Selbe
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Martha R Koenig
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Jaimie L Gradus
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Yael I Nillni
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Joan A Casey
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Elizabeth E Hatch
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Amelia K Wesselink
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Lauren A Wise
- Mary D. Willis, Erin J. Campbell, Sophie Selbe, Martha R. Koenig, Jaimie L. Gradus, Elizabeth Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, and Lauren A. Wise are with the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Yael I. Nillni is with the Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. Joan A. Casey is with the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Nicole C. Deziel is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
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Pascual F. Fracking and Childhood Leukemia: New Evidence Supports Greater Residential Setbacks. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:94002. [PMID: 36178796 PMCID: PMC9524600 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
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Clark CJ, Johnson NP, Soriano M, Warren JL, Sorrentino KM, Kadan-Lottick NS, Saiers JE, Ma X, Deziel NC. Unconventional Oil and Gas Development Exposure and Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case-Control Study in Pennsylvania, 2009-2017. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:87001. [PMID: 35975995 PMCID: PMC9383266 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) releases chemicals that have been linked to cancer and childhood leukemia. Studies of UOGD exposure and childhood leukemia are extremely limited. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate potential associations between residential proximity to UOGD and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood leukemia, in a large regional sample using UOGD-specific metrics, including a novel metric to represent the water pathway. METHODS We conducted a registry-based case-control study of 405 children ages 2-7 y diagnosed with ALL in Pennsylvania between 2009-2017, and 2,080 controls matched on birth year. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between residential proximity to UOGD (including a new water pathway-specific proximity metric) and ALL in two exposure windows: a primary window (3 months preconception to 1 y prior to diagnosis/reference date) and a perinatal window (preconception to birth). RESULTS Children with at least one UOG well within 2 km of their birth residence during the primary window had 1.98 times the odds of developing ALL in comparison with those with no UOG wells [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 3.69]. Children with at least one vs. no UOG wells within 2 km during the perinatal window had 2.80 times the odds of developing ALL (95% CI: 1.11, 7.05). These relationships were slightly attenuated after adjusting for maternal race and socio-economic status [odds ratio (OR) = 1.74 (95% CI: 0.93, 3.27) and OR = 2.35 (95% CI: 0.93, 5.95)], respectively). The ORs produced by models using the water pathway-specific metric were similar in magnitude to the aggregate metric. DISCUSSION Our study including a novel UOGD metric found UOGD to be a risk factor for childhood ALL. This work adds to mounting evidence of UOGD's impacts on children's health, providing additional support for limiting UOGD near residences. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11092.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra J. Clark
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicholaus P. Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mario Soriano
- Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Joshua L. Warren
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Keli M. Sorrentino
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nina S. Kadan-Lottick
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - James E. Saiers
- Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xiaomei Ma
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicole C. Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Clark CJ, Xiong B, Soriano MA, Gutchess K, Siegel HG, Ryan EC, Johnson NP, Cassell K, Elliott EG, Li Y, Cox AJ, Bugher N, Glist L, Brenneis RJ, Sorrentino KM, Plano J, Ma X, Warren JL, Plata DL, Saiers JE, Deziel NC. Assessing Unconventional Oil and Gas Exposure in the Appalachian Basin: Comparison of Exposure Surrogates and Residential Drinking Water Measurements. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1091-1103. [PMID: 34982938 PMCID: PMC10259677 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Health studies report associations between metrics of residential proximity to unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development and adverse health endpoints. We investigated whether exposure through household groundwater is captured by existing metrics and a newly developed metric incorporating groundwater flow paths. We compared metrics with detection frequencies/concentrations of 64 organic and inorganic UOG-related chemicals/groups in residential groundwater from 255 homes (Pennsylvania n = 94 and Ohio n = 161). Twenty-seven chemicals were detected in ≥20% of water samples at concentrations generally below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. In Pennsylvania, two organic chemicals/groups had reduced odds of detection with increasing distance to the nearest well: 1,2-dichloroethene and benzene (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23-0.93) and m- and p-xylene (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.10-0.80); results were consistent across metrics. In Ohio, the odds of detecting toluene increased with increasing distance to the nearest well (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.12-1.95), also consistent across metrics. Correlations between inorganic chemicals and metrics were limited (all |ρ| ≤ 0.28). Limited associations between metrics and chemicals may indicate that UOG-related water contamination occurs rarely/episodically, more complex metrics may be needed to capture drinking water exposure, and/or spatial metrics in health studies may better reflect exposure to other stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra J Clark
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - Boya Xiong
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Laboratory, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- University of Minnesota, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mario A Soriano
- Yale School of the Environment, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Kristina Gutchess
- Yale School of the Environment, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Helen G Siegel
- Yale School of the Environment, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Emma C Ryan
- Tufts University, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, United States
| | - Nicholaus P Johnson
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - Kelsie Cassell
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - Elise G Elliott
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yunpo Li
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Laboratory, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Austin J Cox
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Laboratory, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Nicolette Bugher
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Laboratory, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lukas Glist
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Laboratory, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Rebecca J Brenneis
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Laboratory, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Keli M Sorrentino
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, 1 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - Julie Plano
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, 1 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - Xiaomei Ma
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - Joshua L Warren
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - Desiree L Plata
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Laboratory, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - James E Saiers
- Yale School of the Environment, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
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Clark CJ, Warren JL, Kadan-Lottick N, Ma X, Bell ML, Saiers JE, Deziel NC. Community concern and government response: Identifying socio-economic and demographic predictors of oil and gas complaints and drinking water impairments in Pennsylvania. ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE 2021; 76:102070. [PMID: 34123731 PMCID: PMC8192069 DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Oil and gas development has led to environmental hazards and community concerns, particularly in relation to water supply issues. Filing complaints with state agencies enables citizens to register concerns and seek investigations. We evaluated associations between county-level socio-economic and demographic factors, oil and gas drilling, and three outcomes in Pennsylvania between 2004-2016: number of oil and gas complaints filed, and both the number and proportion of state investigations of water supply complaints yielding a confirmed water supply impairment (i.e., "positive determination"). We used hierarchical Bayesian Poisson and binomial regression analyses. From 2004-2016, 9,404 oil and gas-related complaints were filed, of which 4,099 were water supply complaints. Of those, 3,906 received investigations, and 215 yielded positive determinations. We observed a 47% increase in complaints filed per $10,000 increase in annual median household income (MHI) (Rate Ratio [RR]: 1.47, 95% credible interval [CI]: 1.09-1.96) and an 18% increase per 1% increase in educational attainment (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.11-1.26). While the number of complaints filed did not vary by race/ethnicity, the odds of a complaint yielding a positive determination were 0.81 times lower in counties with a higher proportion of marginalized populations (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.81 per 1% increase in percent Black, Asian, and Native American populations combined, 95% CI: 0.64-0.99). The odds of positive determinations were also lower in areas with higher income (OR per $10,000 increase in MHI: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.09-0.96). Our results suggest these relationships are complex and may indicate potential environmental and procedural inequities, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra J. Clark
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven CT, 06510, United States
| | - Joshua L. Warren
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven CT, 06510, United States
| | - Nina Kadan-Lottick
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven CT 06510, United States
| | - Xiaomei Ma
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven CT, 06510, United States
| | - Michelle L. Bell
- Yale School of the Environment, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven CT, 06511, United States
| | - James E. Saiers
- Yale School of the Environment, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven CT, 06511, United States
| | - Nicole C. Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven CT, 06510, United States
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Watterson A, Dinan W. Lagging and Flagging: Air Pollution, Shale Gas Exploration and the Interaction of Policy, Science, Ethics and Environmental Justice in England. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E4320. [PMID: 32560334 PMCID: PMC7344855 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The science on the effects of global climate change and air pollution on morbidity and mortality is clear and debate now centres around the scale and precise contributions of particular pollutants. Sufficient data existed in recent decades to support the adoption of precautionary public health policies relating to fossil fuels including shale exploration. Yet air quality and related public health impacts linked to ethical and environmental justice elements are often marginalized or missing in planning and associated decision making. Industry and government policies and practices, laws and planning regulations lagged well behind the science in the United Kingdom. This paper explores the reasons for this and what shaped some of those policies. Why did shale gas policies in England fail to fully address public health priorities and neglect ethical and environmental justice concerns. To answer this question, an interdisciplinary analysis is needed informed by a theoretical framework of how air pollution and climate change are largely discounted in the complex realpolitik of policy and regulation for shale gas development in England. Sources, including official government, regulatory and planning documents, as well as industry and scientific publications are examined and benchmarked against the science and ethical and environmental justice criteria. Further, our typology illustrates how the process works drawing on an analysis of official policy documents and statements on planning and regulatory oversight of shale exploration in England, and material from industry and their consultants relating to proposed shale oil and gas development. Currently the oil, gas and chemical industries in England continue to dominate and influence energy and feedstock-related policy making to the detriment of ethical and environmental justice decision making with significant consequences for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Watterson
- Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - William Dinan
- Communications, Media & Culture, Faculty of Arts & Humanities, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK;
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Deziel NC, Brokovich E, Grotto I, Clark CJ, Barnett-Itzhaki Z, Broday D, Agay-Shay K. Unconventional oil and gas development and health outcomes: A scoping review of the epidemiological research. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 182:109124. [PMID: 32069745 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydraulic fracturing together with directional and horizontal well drilling (unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development) has increased substantially over the last decade. UOG development is a complex process presenting many potential environmental health hazards, raising serious public concern. AIM To conduct a scoping review to assess what is known about the human health outcomes associated with exposure to UOG development. METHODS We performed a literature search in MEDLINE and SCOPUS for epidemiological studies of exposure to UOG development and verified human health outcomes published through August 15, 2019. For each eligible study we extracted data on the study design, study population, health outcomes, exposure assessment approach, statistical methodology, and potential confounders. We reviewed the articles based on categories of health outcomes. RESULTS We identified 806 published articles, most of which were published during the last three years. After screening, 40 peer-reviewed articles were selected for full text evaluation and of these, 29 articles met our inclusion criteria. Studies evaluated pregnancy outcomes, cancer incidence, hospitalizations, asthma exacerbations, sexually transmitted diseases, and injuries or mortality from traffic accidents. Our review found that 25 of the 29 studies reported at least one statistically significant association between the UOG exposure metric and an adverse health outcome. The most commonly studied endpoint was adverse birth outcomes, particularly preterm deliveries and low birth weight. Few studies evaluated the mediating pathways that may underpin these associations, highlighting a clear need for research on the potential exposure pathways and mechanisms underlying observed relationships. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the heterogeneity among studies with respect to study design, outcome of interest, and exposure assessment methodology. Though replication in other populations is important, current research points to a growing body of evidence of health problems in communities living near UOG sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - Eran Brokovich
- Natural Resources Administration, Ministry of Energy, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Itamar Grotto
- Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer, Sheva, Israel.
| | - Cassandra J Clark
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Zohar Barnett-Itzhaki
- Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel; Research Center for Health Informatics, School of Engineering, Ruppin Academic Center, Israel.
| | - David Broday
- Department of Environmental, Water, and Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Keren Agay-Shay
- Department of Population Health, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
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Ren J, Cui JP, Luo M, Liu H, Hao P, Wang X, Zhang GH. The prevalence and persistence of aberrant promoter DNA methylation in benzene-exposed Chinese workers. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220500. [PMID: 31381583 PMCID: PMC6681966 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation patterns are common in cancers and environmental pollutant exposed subjects. Up to date, few studies have examined the aberrant DNA methylation patterns in benzene exposed workers. We recruited 141 benzene-exposed workers, including 83 benzene-exposed workers from a shoe factory in Wenzhou and 58 workers from a painting workshop in Wuhu, 35 workers in Wuhu were followed from 2009 to 2013, and 48 indoor workers as controls from Wenzhou. We used high-resolution melting (HRM) to quantitate human samples of DNA methylation in long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1), (6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), and DNA mismatch repair gene human mutator L homologue 1 (hMLH1). AML-5 cells were treated with benzoquinone (BQ) and hydroquinone (HQ), and the promoter methylation of MGMT and hMLH1 was detected using the bisulfite sequencing PCR method. The degree of LINE-1 methylation in benzene-exposed workers was significantly lower than that of the controls (p<0.001), and the degree of MGMT (p<0.001) and hMLH1 (p = 0.01) methylation was significantly higher than that of the controls. The in vitro study validated the aberrant hypermethylation of hMLH1 after treatment with BQ. Among the cohort workers who were followed from 2009 to 2013, the LINE1 methylation elevated in 2013 than 2009 (p = 0.004), and premotor methylation in hMLH1 reduced in 2013 than 2009 (p = 0.045) with the reduction of the benzene exposure. This study provides evidence that benzene exposure can induce LINE-1 hypomethylation and DNA repair gene hypermethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchao Ren
- Henan International Collaborative Laboratory for Health Effects and Intervention of Air Pollution, Medicine, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jun-peng Cui
- Henan International Collaborative Laboratory for Health Effects and Intervention of Air Pollution, Medicine, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Mengkai Luo
- Henan International Collaborative Laboratory for Health Effects and Intervention of Air Pollution, Medicine, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Henan International Collaborative Laboratory for Health Effects and Intervention of Air Pollution, Medicine, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Pengfei Hao
- Xinxiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Henan International Collaborative Laboratory for Health Effects and Intervention of Air Pollution, Medicine, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- * E-mail: (GZ); (XW)
| | - Guang-hui Zhang
- Henan International Collaborative Laboratory for Health Effects and Intervention of Air Pollution, Medicine, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- * E-mail: (GZ); (XW)
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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: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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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