PEHSU Information on Natural Gas Extraction and Hydraulic Fracturing for Health Professionals The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) Network encourage families, pediatricians, and communities to work together to ensure that children are protected from exposure to environmental hazards.

Background: Natural gas extraction from shale is a complex process which includes: 1) building access roads, centralized water and flowback holding ponds and of the site itself ; 2) construction of pipe lines and compressor stations; 3) drilling ; 4) hydraulic fracturing; 5) capturing the natural gas; 6) and disposal (or recycling) of, flowback water and drill cuttings.

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as hydrofracking or fracking, uses a combination of water, sand, and chemicals injected into the ground under high pressure to release natural gas. The HF process is also used in some parts of the country for extracting oil. This process has become much more common in the US over the last decade. It was first used for natural gas in Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas. The practice has recently spread into other states, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York.

August 2011

Health Issues: Questions regarding the possible health effects of Natural gas extraction/Hydraulic fracturing (NGE/HF) have been raised about water and air quality. To ensure that children’s health is part of the ongoing evaluation of possible human health effects of NGE/HF, the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) network, which consists of experts throughout the country dedicated to preventing adverse pediatric health outcomes from environmental causes, developed this fact sheet. A distinct challenge in discussing these possible health effects is the lack of research regarding the human health effects of NGE/HF. Most of the research to date focuses on ecosystem health. Because many questions remain unanswered, the PEHSU network recommends a precautionary approach to toxicants in general and to the NGE/HF process specifically.

Water Contamination: One of the potential routes of exposure to toxics from the NGE/HF process is the contamination of drinking water, including public water supplies and private wells. This can occur when geologic fractures extend into groundwater or from leaks from the natural gas well if it passes through the water table. In addition, drilling fluid, chemical spills, and disposal pit leaks may contaminate surface water supplies. A study conducted in New York and Pennsylvania found that methane contamination of private drinking water wells was associated with proximity to active natural gas drilling. (Osborne SG, et al., 2011). While many of the chemicals used in the drilling and fracking process are proprietary, the list includes benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, ethylene glycol, glutaraldehyde and other biocides, hydrochloric acid, and hydrogen treated light petroleum distillates. These substances have a wide spectrum of potential toxic effects on humans ranging from cancer to adverse effects on the reproductive, neurological, and endocrine systems (ATSDR, Colborn T, et al, U.S. EPA 2009).

Air Pollution: Sources of air pollution around a drilling facility include diesel exhaust from the use of machinery and heavy trucks, and fugitive emissions from the drilling and NGE/HF processes. These air pollutants are associated with a spectrum of adverse health outcomes in humans. Increases in particulate matter air pollution, for example, have been linked to respiratory illnesses, wheezing in infants, cardiovascular events, and premature death (Laden F, et al, Lewtas J, Ryan PH, et al, Sacks JD, et al). Since each fracturing event at each well requires up to 2,400 industrial truck trips, residents near the site and along the truck routes may be exposed to increased levels of these air pollutants (New York State DECDMR, 2009). Volatile organic compounds can escape capture from the wells and combine with nitrogen oxides to produce ground-level ozone (CDPHE 2008, CDPHE 2010). Due to its inflammatory effects on the respiratory tract, ground-level ozone has been linked to asthma exacerbations and respiratory deaths. Elevated ozone levels have been found in rural areas of Wyoming, partially attributed to natural gas drilling in these locations. (Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, 2010). In an air sampling study from 2005 to 2007 conducted in Colorado, researchers found that air benzene concentrations approached or exceeded health-based standards at sites associated with oil or gas drilling (Garfield County PHD, 2007). Benzene exposure during pregnancy has been associated with neural tube defects (Lupo PJ, et al), decreased birth parameters (Slama R, et al., 2009), and childhood leukemia (Whitworth KW, et al., 2008).

Noise Pollution: Noise pollution from the drilling process and resulting truck traffic has not been optimally evaluated, but since drilling sites have been located in close proximity to housing in many locations, noise from these industrial sources might impact sleep, and that has been associated with negative effects on learning and other aspects of daily living (Stansfeld SA, et al., 2003, WHO 2011).

Special Susceptibility of Children: Children are more vulnerable to environmental hazards. They eat, drink, and breathe more than adults on a pound for pound basis. Research has also shown that children are not able to metabolize some toxicants as well as adults due to immature detoxification processes. Moreover, the fetus and young child are in a critical period of development when toxic exposures can have profound negative effects.

Recommendations: In light of the lack of research investigating the potential adverse human health effects from gas and oil well operations located in close proximity to human habitation, as well as considering the unique vulnerability of children, the PEHSU network recommends the following:

• Continuing the surveillance of water quality, noise levels, and air pollution in areas where NGE/HF sites are located near communities.
• Monitoring the health impacts of persons living in the area, preferably with cohort studies.
• Increasing the awareness of community healthcare providers about the possible health consequences of exposures from the NGE/HF processes, including occupational exposures to workers and the issue of take-home toxics (e.g., clothing and boots contaminated with drilling muds).
• Disclosure of all chemicals used in the drilling and NGE/HF and product dewatering to ensure that acute exposures are handled appropriately and to ensure that surveillance programs are optimized.
• Given the short half-lives of volatile organic compounds and the fact that many of the NGE/HF chemicals have not been disclosed, biologic testing should not be pursued unless there has been a known, direct exposure.
• In addition to the annual testing for coliforms and nitrates recommended by the U.S. EPA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the AAP guidance recommends that families with private drinking water wells in NGE/HF areas should consider testing the wells before drilling begins and on a regular basis thereafter for chloride, sodium, barium, strontium, and VOCs in consultation with their local or state health department.

As invaluable resources for their local, state, and regional communities, health professionals should advocate for human health effects to be a part of the discussion regarding NGE/HF. For further information, please contact your regional Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, available at www.pehsu.net.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2007. Toxicological profile for Benzene. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Committee on Environmental Health and Committee on Infectious Disease. Drinking Water from Private Wells and Risks to Children. Pediatrics 2009;123:1599-1605.

Colborn T, Kwiatkowski C, Schultz K, Bachran M. Natural Gas Operations from a Public Health Perspective. IN PRESS: Accepted for publication in the International Journal of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, September 4, 2010. Expected publication: September-October 2011.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Public Health Implications of Ambient Air Exposures as Measured in Rural and Urban Oil & Gas Development Areas – an Analysis of 2008 Air Sampling Data, Garfield County, Colorado. 2010.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Public Health Implications of Ambient Air Exposures to Volatile Organic Compounds as Measured in Rural, Urban, and Oil & Gas Development Areas, Garfield County, Colorado. 2008.

Etzel RA, ed., American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Committee on Environmental Health. Noise. In: Pediatric Environmental Health. 2nd ed. Elk Gove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2003:311-321.

Friedman MS, Powell KE, Hutwagner L, Graham LM, Teague WG. Impact of changes in transportation and commuting behaviors during the 1996 Summer Olympic games in Atlanta on air quality and childhood asthma. JAMA 2001;285:897-905.

Garfield County Public Health Department (GCPHD). Garfield County Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Study June 2005-May 2007. G. C. P. H. Department. Garfield County, CO. Laden F, Neas LM, Dockery DW, Schwartz J. Association of fine particulate matter from different sources with daily mortality in six U.S. Cities. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 October; 108(10): 941–947.

Lewtas J. Air pollution combustion emissions: Characterization of causative agents and mechanisms associated with cancer, reproductive, and cardiovascular effects. Mutat Res. 2007 Nov-Dec; 636(1-3):95-133.

Lupo PJ, Symanski E, Waller DK, Chan W, Langlois PH, Canfield MA, Mitchell LE. 2011. Maternal Exposure to Ambient Levels of Benzene and Neural Tube Defects among Offspring: Texas, 1999–2004. Environ Health Perspect 119:397-402.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Mineral Resources. Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement On The Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program. 2009.

Osborn SG, Vengosh A, Warner NR, Jackson RB. Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas-well drilling and hydraulic fracturing. PNAS 2011. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1100682108

Pandya RJ, Solomon G, Kinner A, Balmes JR. Diesel Exhaust and Asthma: Hypotheses and Molecular Mechanisms of Action. Environ Health Perspect 110(suppl 1):103-112 (2002). Rodier, PM. Developing brain as a target of toxicity. Environ Health Perspect. 1995 Sept; 103(Suppl 6):73-76.

Ryan PH, LeMasters GK, Biswas P, Levin L, Hu S, Lindsey M, Bernstein DI, Lockey J, Villareal M, Khurana Hershey GK, Grinshpun SA. A Comparison of Proximity and Land Use Regression Traffic Exposure Models and Wheezing in Infants. Environ Health Perspect. 2007; 115:278-284.

Sacks JD, Stanek LW, Luben TJ, Johns DO, Buckley BJ, Brown JS, et al. 2011. Particulate Matter–Induced Health Effects: Who Is Susceptible? Environ Health Perspect 119:446-454.

Slama R, Thiebaugeorges O, Goua V, Aussel L, Sacco P, Bohet A, et al. 2009. Maternal Personal Exposure to Airborne Benzene and Intrauterine Growth. Environ Health Perspect 117:1313-1321.

Stansfeld SA, Matheson MP. Noise pollution: non-auditory effects on health. British Medical Bulletin 2003; 68: 243–257.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Outdoor Air – Industry, Business, and Home: Oil and Natural Gas Production – Additional Information. http://www.epa.gov/oaqps001/community/details/oil- gas_addl_info.html. Last updated 06/05/09. Accessed 04/21/11.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Health assessment document for diesel engine exhaust. Prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC, for the Office of Transportation and Air Quality; EPA/600/8-90/057F. Available from: National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA; PB2002-107661, and http://www.epa.gov/ncea

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Private Drinking Water Wells. http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/well/faq.cfm. Last updated 05/04/11. Accessed 04/29/11.

Whitworth KW, Symanski E, Coker AL 2008. Childhood Lymphohematopoietic Cancer Incidence and Hazardous Air Pollutants in Southeast Texas, 1995–2004. Environ Health Perspect 116:1576-1580.

World Health Organization. Burden of disease from environmental noise – Quantification of healthy life years lost in Europe. 2011.

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Ozone Nonattainment Information Proposed Ozone Nonattainment Area – Sublette County and Portions of Lincoln and Sweetwater Counties. Last updated January 2010. http://deq.state.wy.us/aqd/Ozone%20Nonattainment%20Information.asp Accessed 6/17/2011.

This material was developed by the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) and funded under the cooperative agreement award number 1U61TS000118-02 from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Acknowledgement: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports the PEHSU by providing funds to ATSDR under Inter-Agency Agreement number DW-75-92301301-0. Neither EPA nor ATSDR endorse the purchase of any commercial products or services mentioned in PEHSU publications.

Hello Everyone,

Now that everyone is back from vacation, those of you who haven’t signed the BAN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PETITION on change.org have a chance to click on the link below / or copy and paste it into your browser:

https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-hydraulic-fracturing

You can also send an email to your friends, community connections, family and like minded acquaintances. The email could read something like this:

Dear Friends, I just signed a very worthwhile petition to save our planet’s 1% fresh drinking water supply from being depleted by natural gas extraction using a technology known as hydraulic fracturing which requires phenomenal quantities of fresh water.

The water is pumped out of local rivers, streams and underground aquifers, then mixed with toxic chemicals and sent down the well under high pressure to fracture the shale rock and release the gas. Up to 80% of the water used is removed from the  “evaporation-precipitation” cycle that provides our planet with fresh water and will remain sequestered underground for generations to come – inaccessible to man and the eco-system upon which we depend for our survival. If you would like to save our planet’s finite supply of water and sign this petition, just click on the link below, or copy and paste it into your browser: https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-hydraulic-fracturing Thank you for letting our elected officials know what your priorities are!

Thank you for taking the opportunity to participate in the democratic process by making your voice be heard!

~Roseanna (Member of SWTO Steering Committee)

Source: Scientific American

A recent study shows that hydraulic fracturing the Marcellus Shale for natural gas is contaminating drinking water wells.

By David Biello | May 9, 2011 HYDRAULIC FRACTURING: A new technique for releasing natural gas in shale rock has contaminated at least some drinking water wells in Pennsylvania and New York State.

Drilling for natural gas is booming in Pennsylvania—thanks to fracturing shale rock with a water and chemical cocktail paired with the ability to drill in any direction. Despite homeowner complaints, however, research on how such hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is impacting local water wells has not kept pace. Now a new study that sampled water from 60 such wells has found evidence for natural gas–contamination in those within a kilometer of a new natural gas well.

“Methane concentrations in drinking water were much higher if the homeowner was near an active gas well,” explains environmental scientist Robert Jackson of Duke University, who led the study published online May 9 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “We wanted to try and separate fact from emotion.”

The researchers discovered methane in 51 of the 60 wells tested—that is not out of the ordinary. A small amount of methane from both deep and biological sources is present in most of the aquifers in this region of Pennsylvania and New York State. By measuring the ratio of radioactive carbon present in the methane contamination, however, the researchers determined that in drinking water wells near active natural gas wells, the methane was old and therefore fossil natural gas from the Marcellus Shale, rather than more freshly produced methane. This marks the first time that drinking water contamination has been definitively linked to fracking.

See the rest of this entry »

Source : New York Times

Several Democratic senators said Tuesday that the Environmental Protection Agency should step up regulation of the natural gas industry because they are concerned that toxic chemicals used in drilling could enter the public water supply.

In a Senate hearing, Democrats pressed the agency about the consequences of a fast-growing drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking, that involves pumping chemicals and water deep underground to release gas deposits.

“The industry has failed to meet minimal acceptable performance levels for protecting human health and the environment,” said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland and chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the environment committee. “The question is, What is E.P.A. doing about this?”

A recent article by The New York Times reported that these drilling fluids, which are often processed at sewage treatment plants, contain radioactivity at levels far higher than federal regulators say is safe for these plants to handle.

Read more >>

The latest communication from the Sierra Club…

Did you know that communities in Wyoming sometimes have worse air quality days than Los Angeles due to natural gas drilling?1 Or that hydraulic fracturing – the drilling method used by the oil and gas industry – creates polluted wastewater which includes radioactive materials and toxic chemicals?

Unfortunately, oil and gas lobbyists have succeeded in carving out loopholes in the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Air Act, leaving communities all over the country to suffer from the effects of unregulated drilling – dirty air and polluted drinking water.

Tell your representative that it is time to close these loopholes and protect our air and water from oil and gas drilling.

Companies involved in hydraulic fracturing should have to report the chemicals they pump underground, and their injection wells should be covered by the protections provided by the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition, they should be required to meet Clean Air Act standards, just like other industries across the United States.

Tell Congress to end the environmental exemptions for the oil and gas industry.

People should not have to worry about the safety of their drinking water or breathe dirty air because of natural gas drilling. It’s time to close the loopholes in environmental laws that allow natural gas companies to evade government oversight and pollute our air and water.

Sincerely,

Deborah Nardone Sierra Club Natural Gas Reform Campaign

Excerpt: A geohazards supervisor with the Arkansas State Geological Survey, Scott Ausbrooks, told the Associated Press that this Arkansas earthquake swarm could be related to natural gas exploration in the area. The area where the earthquakes have been occurring is part of the Fayetteville Shale–an area of rich organic rock in north-central Arkansas. The Fayetteville Shale area has more than 400 completed gas wells.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110218/tr_ac/7883826_arkansas_earthquake_swarm_could_be_related_to_natural_gas_injection_wells

Cabot Oil (of Dimock PA water contamination infamy), has agreed to pay the townspeople of Dimock PA 4.1 million for contaminating their water. See the rest of this entry »