JOINT RELEASE: OCT 18, 2012
CONTACTS:
Nadia Steinzor, 315-677-4111, nsteinzor@earthworksaction.org
Wilma Subra, 337-367-2216, SubraCom@aol.com
Calvin Tillman, ShaleTest, 940-453-3640, caltillman@yahoo.com
New research links health problems with oil and natural gas development
Largest-ever survey of Marcellus Shale residents living near gas facilities reveals pattern of health symptoms associated with oil and gas development
October 18th — The largest health survey to-date of Marcellus Shale residents living near oil and gas development shows a clear pattern of negative health impacts associated with living near gas facilities, according to a new report released by Earthworks’ Oil & Gas Accountability Project today. Released in association with ShaleTest, Gas Patch Roulette: How Shale Gas Development Risks Public Health in Pennsylvania surveyed 108 residents in 14 Pennsylvania counties, and conducted air and water tests at more than half of the households were surveys were completed.
“For too long, the oil and gas industry and state regulators have dismissed community members’ health complaints as ‘false’ or ‘anecdotal’.” said Nadia Steinzor, Earthworks’ Eastern program coordinator and the project’s lead author. She continued, “The industry tries to shift blame onto residents themselves or onto any other possible source than oil and gas facilities, Now we know better. With this research, they cannot credibly ignore communities any longer.”
Gas Patch Roulette’s main conclusions are that
- Chemicals associated with oil and gas development are present in communities where development occurs.
- Residents in these communities report that after gas development began, they developed new health problems — many of which are known consequences of exposure to these chemicals.
State governments, which are largely responsible for protecting the public from irresponsible oil and gas development, have until recently refused to act on behalf of the public.
“The clear association between gas development and public health impacts revealed by this research demands that states stop ignoring the problem and start developing the standards necessary to protect the public,” said President of Subra Company and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, Wilma Subra. She continued, “It’s clear that nationwide, because of regulatory inaction and a lack of corporate accountability, states are playing roulette with public health.”
Other findings of the report include that
- Those living closer to gas facilities report higher rates of impaired health.
- Children living near gas development reported negative health impacts that seem atypical in the young.
- Chemicals detected by air and water sampling have been associated by state and federal agencies with both oil and gas development and with many of the health symptoms reported in the surveys.
“It is clear from both the lab results and the reported health affects that the exploration of natural gas comes with consequences,” said Calvin Tillman, former mayor of gas-impacted DISH, Texas and founder of ShaleTest. He continued, “Industry needs to step up to the plate and quit denying they are damaging our lives and property. The people in this survey are innocent bystanders that deserve better from the industry that is exploiting them, and the governments that are letting it happen.”
“Pennsylvania and many other states are forging ahead with oil and gas development without considering the public interest,” said Steinzor. “That needs to change. And they can start by refusing to permit new drilling until regulators can assure the public that they’ve taken all necessary to steps to prevent risks to their health.”
More Information:
Interviews with impacted residents who participated in this project available upon request.
All reports and supporting information: http://health.
earthworksaction.org Summary report: Gas Patch Roulette: How Shale Gas Development Risks Public Health in Pennsylvania
Full report: Gas Patch Roulette: How Shale Gas Development Risks Public Health in Pennsylvania
ShaleTest: http://www.
shaletest.org
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Earthworks, and its Oil & Gas Accountability Project (OGAP), is dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of irresponsible mineral and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions.
ShaleTest.org is a non-profit organization that will collect environmental data, and provide environmental testing to lower income families and neighborhoods that are effected by natural gas exploration.
Twitter: earthworksrocks
Facebook: earthworksaction
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This risk-taking industry has placed us in the bull’s eye.
From the Huff Post Green:
Fracking Pollution Sickens Pennsylvania Families, Environmental Group Says
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/18/fracking-pollution-pennsylvania_n_1982320.html?ref=topbar
Maybe EID can sue the Huffington Post?
Thank you so much for compiling this, the Queensland Australia experience is identical to this, seems the Gas Co’s use the same manual, well we know they do. They are aware that with regulation they are shut down. We personally have a water bore that is contaminated, airborne pollutants and the burden of proof is on us. Our regulators were out the other day and denied the presence of gas, as they drove away I took our portable gas meter out, turned the bore on and the meter went to full alarm for the entire time I had the bore switched on, but the regulators and their team of scientists found no gas. At least we are not in Nigeria, over there they pay governments to shoot activists, here they pay governments to marginalise and discredit. The sky is certainly pink in Queensland.
Your dudes in Australia must got their school house training in Texas from the RRC and TCEQ “teachers”. ha.