Fleased NY would like to share a fantastic new resource: an ever-evolving searchable citation database of peer-reviewed studies on the subject of shale gas and tight oil development that has been created and is maintained by Physicians Scientists & Engineers for Healthy Energy (PSE). PSE’s database is a valuable resource for the media, lessors, legislators, government officials, farmers, academics and activists alike.

The science on the environmental public health aspects of shale gas development is still in its infancy. Over half of the peer-reviewed studies on this topic have been published in the past year. We at Fleased feel that the cautious approach to deciding whether or not to allow “fracking,” being taken by New York State and Governor Cuomo, makes sense given this rapidly evolving science.

PSE’s database aims to include all relevant articles, and is not edited to support any one point of view. Moreover, despite crucial gaps in data, the developing science strongly suggests the potential for harm, both to the environment and to public health.

Regularly updated as new studies are published, the database covers topics ranging from air quality to economics. However, as PSE’s article standards are high, it contains only texts that are peer-reviewed. Other publications, such as reports and conference proceedings that may still be useful to examine, can be found in Bucknell University’s Marcellus Shale Initiative Publications Database.

Both databases are open to the public and each covers topics that the other does not. If you have any questions or trouble navigating them, please feel free to contact Fleased at FleasedNY@gmail.com.