PA Environment Digest Blog: Environmental Health Project Seeking Communities To Participate In HealthWatch Program To Better Understand Local Health Impacts Of Shale Gas Development

The Environmental Health Project is seeking communities to participate in the Environmental HealthWatch Program that helps communities better understand the local health impacts of shale gas development.

Through analysis of air quality data and local health risk factors, HealthWatch can equip communities with information they need to better protect their health.

Applications for eligible communities in eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania to participate in the new cohort starting this summer are being accepted until March 31,

Over one year of air quality monitoring, participating communities learn how to reduce their exposure to harmful pollution and more effectively advocate for health protections by engaging elected officials, regulators, and site operators.

Successful projects with community interest and available funding may be eligible for ongoing support in subsequent years.

HealthWatch Program Elements

The Environmental Health Project (EHP) provides:

-- An air quality monitor network recording real-time levels of:

-- Fine particulate matter (PM )

-- Total volatile organic compounds (tVOCs);

-- Access to EHP’s AirView app for real-time analysis of monitor network data (initial training sessions and ongoing tech support included);

-- Comprehensive air quality reports for the community at large and each individual monitoring site;

-- Recommendations for policy changes that protect public health, based on local conditions and concerns;

-- Strategies for residents to reduce their risk from exposure to harmful pollutants; and

-- A community-wide meeting to share project findings and recommendations.

Community Requirements

Communities participating in HealthWatch must meet the following requirements:

-- Have an existing or proposed oil or gas-related infrastructure in or near the community, with priority given to shale gas infrastructure

-- Secure willing air quality monitor hosts (all hosts are required to sign a waiver)

-- At least four locations within 2 miles of the site of concern (preferably in different directions) willing to host monitors on their property

-- Equipment must be mounted to a structure with access to a power supply and Wi-Fi Internet

-- Willing volunteers to fill project support roles (all volunteers are required to sign a waiver)

-- Community liaison (approx. 40 hours): communicate about project within the community, coordinate with monitor site hosts

-- Technical liaison (approx. 40 hours): conduct air quality monitor setup and maintenance (training included), share findings from AirView with community

-- Established channels for community engagement

-- Community-based organization (501(c)3 preferred) as a program contact to sign the participation agreement, coordinate volunteers, and promote the program

-- Community members interested in this issue and able to volunteer time throughout the project, which spans approximately 18 months with preparation, monitoring, and wrap-up

Interested in applying? Fill out this quick, 5-question eligibility form.

Click Here for the HealthWatch factsheet.

For more information on HealthWatch or if you’re unsure about whether your community is eligible, contact Talor Musil, EHP Field Manager, at 412-866-4525 or tmusil@environmentalhealthproject.org.

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.

Resource Links - Health:

-- Part I - Environmental Impacts: State Dept. Of Health, Penn State Medical Webinars On Caring For Persons Living & Working In Communities With Oil & Natural Gas Extraction [PaEN]

-- Part II - Health Impacts: State Dept. Of Health, Penn State Medical Webinars On Caring For Persons Living & Working In Communities With Oil & Natural Gas Extraction [PaEN]

-- University Of Pittsburgh School Of Public Health Studies Find Shale Gas Wells Can Make Asthma Worse; Children Have An Increased Chance Of Developing Lymphoma Cancer; Slightly Lower Birth Weights [PaEN]

-- State Dept. Of Health Apologizes For Not Listening To Communities Suffering Health Impacts From Shale Gas Development; New Health Study Results ‘Just The Tip Of The Iceberg’ [PaEN]

-- State Health Plan Identified Oil & Gas Development As Health Risk Last Year; Environmental Health Indicators Map Is Now Available To Show Potential Risks Near You [PaEN]

-- PA Shale Gas & Public Health Conference Attended By Nearly 480 People Featured Health Experts, Scientists, Advocacy Groups On Health, Environmental Impacts Of Shale Gas Development [PaEN]

-- Fact Sheet: How Oil and Gas Operations Impact Your Baby’s Health

-- Frackland Video Tour, with Lois Bower-Bjornson, Clean Air Council

-- AG Shapiro: Grand Jury Finds Pennsylvania Failed To Protect Citizens During Natural Gas Fracking Boom [June 2020]

-- Physicians For Social Responsibility PA’s Dr. Ned Ketyer Shares Summary Of Studies Of Shale Gas Development Impacts On Human Health [PaEN]

-- 9th Compendium Of Studies On Health & Environmental Harms From Natural Gas Development Released - ‘The Rapidly Expanding Body Of Evidence Compiled Here Is Massive, Troubling And Cries Out For Decisive Action’ [PaEN]