PEHSU Information Concerning Effects on Children of Natural Gas Extraction and Hydraulic Fracturing

February 11, 2012 Debbi Uncategorized

 

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. .

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,

 

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

 

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Laden F, Neas LM, Dockery DW, Schwartz J. Association of fine particulate matter from different sources with daily

 

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Lupo PJ, Symanski E, Waller DK, Chan W, Langlois PH, Canfield MA, Mitchell LE. 2011. Maternal Exposure to

 

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Osborn SG, Vengosh A, Warner NR, Jackson RB. Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas-well

 

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GK, Grinshpun SA. A Comparison of Proximity and Land Use Regression Traffic Exposure Models and Wheezing in

 

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Sacks JD, Stanek LW, Luben TJ, Johns DO, Buckley BJ, Brown JS, et al. 2011. Particulate Matter

 

 

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Slama R, Thiebaugeorges O, Goua V, Aussel L, Sacco P, Bohet A, et al. 2009. Maternal Personal Exposure to

 

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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.

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