Protecting the Health & Safety Children near Unconventional Gas Drilling

Here is a link to the health and safety voice over presentation that was presented to Mars Home for Youth and the MASD Board by Marsha Haley M.D. and Patrice Tomcik.

Ever Wonder What Toxic Exposures to Gas Drilling Pollution Does to Children?

Dr. Jerome Paulson gave lecture in Pittsburgh on May 17, 2014.   Click HERE to see the video.

Jerome A. Paulson is a Professor in the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, and a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. 
_Human Health Impacts Associated with Chemicals & Pathways of Exposure from the Development of Shale Gas Plays
By: Wilma Subra, Subra Company/Earthworks Board Member, January 9, 2012

Pathways Of Exposure
  • Inhalation and Dermal Absorption from Air Emissions
  • Natural Gas Production- Methane and associated hydrocarbons and Condensates
  • Condensate contains extremely toxic volatile organic chemicals
    • Benzene known human cancer causing agent
    • Xylene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene
    • Other probable and possible cancer causing agents
    • Sulfur based compounds
_
  • Chemicals are released into the air during production, separation processes, tank storage and pipeline transportation.
  • Emissions into the air from produced water tanks on the production site release methane, toxic volatile organic chemicals and sulfur compounds into the air.
  • Natural gas is frequently vented to the air when a well is completed.
  • Compressors and motors on the drilling and production sites, injection well disposal sites and along pipelines release combustion products and volatile organic hydrocarbons into the air and degrade the air quality. These combustion products also combine with the volatile organic chemicals in the presence of heat and sunlight to produce ground level ozone.
_Ingestion and Dermal Absorption Pathways of Exposure Ground water and surface water resources and soils and sediments are contaminated from:
  • Spills and leaks from pits, tanks, rigs, chemical storage containers, drums, flow lines, pipelines, mixing vats, trucks, injection wells, etc.
  • Road Spreading and Land Spreading of waste
  • Untreated or improperly treated produced water and flowback water discharged from Waste Water Treatment Plants

Acute Health Impacts Experienced by Individuals Living in Close Proximity to Shale Gas Drilling, Fracturing and Production Wells Air Pathways
  • Irritates Skin, Eyes, Nose, Throat and Lungs
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness, Light Headed
  • Nausea, Vomiting
  • Skin Rashes
  • Fatigue
  • Tense and Nervous
  • Depression, Anxiety, Irritability
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Weakness
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Irregular Heartbeat (arrhythmia)
  • Personality Changes

Chronic Health Impacts Experienced by Individuals Living in Close Proximity to Shale Gas Drilling, Fracturing and Production Wells - Air Pathways
  • Damage to Liver and Kidneys
  • Damage to Lungs
  • Damage to Nervous System Causing Weakness
  • Leukemia
  • Aplastic Anemia
  • Changes in Blood Cells
  • Impacts to Blood Clotting Ability

Health Impacts Experienced by Individuals Living in Close Proximity to Shale Gas Drilling, Fracturing and Production Wells - Air and Drinking Water Pathways
Medical Condition and % of Individuals
  • Respiratory Impacts- 81%
  • Memory Loss- 56%
  • Feeling Weak & Tired- 50%
  • Throat Irritation- 50%
  • Sinus Problems- 44%
  • High Blood Pressure- 44%
  • Muscle Aches or Pains- 44%
  • Forgetfulness- 38%
  • Recall Problems- 38%
  • Breathing Difficulties- 38%
  • Eyes Burning- 38%
  • Joint Pain- 38%
  • Decrease in Vision- 31
  • Sleep Disorder- 31
25% of the individuals surveyed had the following symptoms:
  • Nasal Irritation
  • Arthritis
  • Persistent Indigestion
  • Increased Fatigue
  • Frequent Urination
  • Extreme Drowsiness
  • Difficulty in Concentrating
  • Inability to Recall Numbers
  • Ringing the Ears
  • Difficulty in Hearing
  • Severe Headaches
  • Tingling in Hands
  • Reduced Muscle Strength
  • Loss of Sexual Drive
___Health Impacts Reported by Community Members Living 50 feet to 2 miles from Compressor Stations and Gas Metering Stations Along Gas Transmission Pipelines
*61% of Health Impacts Associated with Chemicals present in Excess of Short and Long Term Effects Screening Levels in the air
  • Nasal Irritation*
  • Throat Irritation*
  • Eyes Burning*
  • Frequent Nausea*
  • Allergies
  • Sinus Problems*
  • Bronchitis*
  • Persistent Cough
  • Chronic Eye Irritation*
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Increased Fatigue*
  • Muscle Aches & Pains*
  • Weakness* & Tired*
  • Ringing in Ears
  • Sores & Ulcers in Mouth
  • Urinary Infections
  • Depression*
  • Decreased Motor Skills*
  • Falling, Staggering*
  • Frequent Irritation*
  • Brain disorders*
  • Severe Headaches*
  • Frequent Nose Bleeds
  • Sleep Disturbances
  • Joint Pain
  • Difficulty in Concentrating
  • Nervous System Impacts
  • Irregular/Rapid Heart Beat*
  • Strokes
  • Dizziness*
  • Forgetfulness
  • Easy Bruising
  • Amnesia
  • Severe Anxiety*
  • Excessive Sweating
  • Abnormal EEG*
  • Lump in Breast
  • Spleen
  • Pre-Cancerous Lesions*
  • Abnormal Mammogram
  • Thyroid Problems
  • Endometriosis

Most Prevalent Medical Conditions In Individuals Living in Close Proximity to Compressor Stations and Metering Stations
Medical Conditions and % of Individuals:
  • Respiratory Impacts- 71%
  • Sinus Problems- 58%
  • Throat Irritation- 55%
  • Allergies- 55%
  • Weakness and Fatigue- 55%
  • Eye Irritation- 52%
  • Nasal Irritation- 48%
  • Joint Pain- 45%
  • Muscle Aches & Pains- 42%
  • Breathing Difficulties- 42%
  • Vision Impairment- 42%
  • Severe Headaches- 39%
  • Sleep Disturbances- 39%
  • Swollen & Painful Joints- 39%
  • Frequent Irritation- 32%

Health Effects Experienced by Community Members Living Near a Natural Gas Storage and Processing Tank Farm
Acute Health Effects
  • Irritates Skin, Eyes, Nose Mouth, Throat and Lungs
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Light Headed
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
Chronic Health Effects
  • Anemia
  • Cancer
  • Leukemia

The Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project (SWPA-EHP)

The Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project (SWPA-EHP) is a nonprofit environmental health organization created to assist and support residents who believe their health has been, or could be, impacted by natural gas drilling activities.

What Happens When the Doctor Doesn't Know?

A Pennsylvania Medical Association article.

Leading Public Official says Impact Fee Law Violates Medical Ethics

PA State Impact article.