PA Environment Digest Blog: Environmental Health Project: State Dept. Of Health Progress On Implementing Recommendations After Pitt Health Studies Show Impacts From Shale Gas Development ‘Extremely Limited’

On September 17, the Southwest PA-based Environmental Health Project reported State Department of Health progress on implementing recommendations after the University of Pittsburgh health studies last year showed adverse health impacts from shale gas development was “extremely limited.”

Talor Musil, a Field Manager for the Environmental Health Project, said the health studies “were conducted in response to an outcry of concern from those experiencing firsthand the health harms linked to fracking pollution exposure.”

“The Department of Health commissioned three studies on asthma, childhood cancer, and birth outcomes.”

She said they “affirmed the lived experiences of people who are living with asthma exacerbations, children with cancer, and infants with low birth weights.”

“These are among more than two dozen epidemiological studies that have shown a correlation between fracking and a host of health risks for people living nearby these operations,” she explained.

“They contributed to a body of literature that's unable to demonstrate that shale gas development can be done safely and without impact on human health.”

Soon after the release of the University of Pittsburgh studies, the second highest official in the state Department of Health took the unusual step of issuing an apology to residents in shale gas areas for not taking their concerns more seriously. Read more here.

“While these studies were underway, coordinated action to protect residents was delayed,” said Musil.

“The DOH under the Wolf Administration's guidance hinged the beginnings of any education and awareness efforts on the study's findings.”

Follow-Up Steps

Musil explained, “In August, 2023, the DOH hosted a community meeting to discuss the results of the Pitt study. The meeting lasted over two hours with most of that time dedicated to a question and answer session with their staff and the University of Pittsburgh researchers.

“Throughout the event, DOH leadership expressed that they would be taking action and response to the findings.”

“They listed the following next steps in a presentation they provided.

-- “First, healthcare provider education, including guidance for these providers on oil and gas pollution exposure and continuing education credits for participating in activities related to these topics.

-- “Second, air quality education for school staff, students, and parents.

-- “Third, a new environmental health complaint form.

-- “Fourth, a new DOH literature review on the associations between fracking and health impacts.

-- “Fifth, a review of data and to monitor cancer rates in fracking areas to determine any correlations between this pollution and health harms.

-- “Lastly, cross agency collaboration, particularly with the Department of Environmental Protection to protect the health of all residents and share educational information.”

“To date, progress on these next steps, to our knowledge, has been extremely limited. Two of these commitments have been met,” said Musil.

Environmental Complaint Form

“First, the new environmental health complaint form and increased cross-agency collaboration. In the last year, there was a new environmental health complaint form by the DOH released, and that was linked to the DEP's complaint form,” said Musil.

“We have received reports from residents saying that when those complaints were submitted, that the DOH was more responsive since these changes. Additionally, the DOH has sent leadership and other staff members to meet with residents at their homes to learn more about their lived experiences.”

Additional Educational Resources

In an update on September 19, Aaron Makatura from the Environmental Health Project, said the Department of Health provided more information on how they have followed up on the recommendations after the health study.

After the September 17 press conference, the Health Department posted a new PowerPoint presentation for teachers on teaching about shale gas health impacts-- Integrating Environmental Health and Science: Resources for K-12 Teachers in PA.

[Note: This presentation is not specific to shale gas impacts. It is a generic presentation on teaching “environmental health and air quality” very generally.]

Makatura also said the Health Department is seeking approval for the presentation to be used for nurses for continuing education credits.

“They also intend to provide a two-part presentation to more healthcare professionals in collaboration with Penn State Health's Project ECHO or Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes in early 2025,” said Makatura. “These educational materials have not been released publicly. Because these two commitments are partially.

“Disseminating public health guidance and research are critical functions of the Department of Health,” said Musil.

Literature Review

As of September 19, the Department of Health told the Environmental Health Project-- “they are currently reviewing news articles associated with oil and gas development and health as they are published and that they are going to provide updates to their websites as they are progressing,” said Makatura.

“As of this webinar, the most recent Department of Health literature review on the health effects associated with oil and gas development activities was published in 2019, which is before the Pitt studies were even commissioned,” said Makatura.

“While the Department of Health has been developing plans for meeting all of these requirements, only two of the items have been fully met,” explained Makatura.

Governor’s Silence

“The most troubling beyond the lack of progress of these health education and awareness goals is Gov. Shapiro's silence,” said Musil.

“Not only has he remained silent on the studies and their results, but has also partnered with a shale gas extraction company, CNX, on a self-regulation initiative mentioned earlier.” [Read more here]

“This collaboration serves as another delay on health protective action under the false pretense of needing more data to determine if fracking poses any threat to public health.”

“Last month, there was a report released on their initial findings from their air monitoring project, claiming that there are no public health risks with a photo of Gov. Shapiro at the top of the report to imply an endorsement from their administration of the findings.” [Read more here]

“The report even went so far as to directly attack the Pitt studies, incorrectly comparing CNX's months-long analysis of emission data with the Pitt study's multi-year assessment of health outcomes.”

“Since taking office, Gov. Shapiro has not meaningfully addressed the health concerns of Pennsylvania residents living near shale gas development, which he affirmed so clearly when he was Pennsylvania's Attorney General.”

“His actions and inactions indicate a concerning trend, being unresponsive to the pleas of residents whose health has been harmed and minimizing serious health risks still at play across the state.” said Musil.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Environmental Health Project website or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. Click Here to sign up for regular updates.

Visit the Department of Health’s Oil and Natural Gas Production Health Concerns webpage for more information.

Upcoming Events

-- September 24-- Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts Program In Washington County On Increasing Setbacks From Oil & Gas Infrastructure

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Environmental Health Project: State Dept. Of Health Progress On Implementing Recommendations After Pitt Health Studies Show Impacts From Shale Gas Development ‘Extremely Limited’

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