Home // 
The Issues // Health
The Issues // Health
The Issues // Health
|
|||
|
Clean Air Council PA * Clean Water Action PA * Delaware Riverkeeper Network * Mountain Watershed Association * PennEnvironment * Sierra Club PA Chapter New research reveals Pennsylvania does not State enforcement data shows more than 85% of active PA wells go uninspected, discovered violations go increasingly unpunished, repeat violators undeterred Sep 25th, Washington, D.C. -- In association with six Pennsylvania groups, national resource extraction watchdog Earthworks today released an unprecedented study, Breaking All the Rules: The Crisis in Oil & Gas Regulation revealing that states across the country fail to enforce their oil and gas development regulations. The one-year, in-depth examination of enforcement data and practices -- in Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, New York, New Mexico and Colorado -- also includes interviews with ex-industry and state agency employees. "Pennsylvania's enforcement of state oil and gas rules is broken," said Earthworks' Senior Staff Attorney Bruce Baizel. He continued, "In Pennsylvania and across the country, public health and safety are at risk because states are failing to uphold the rule of law. Until Pennsylvania can guarantee they are adequately enforcing their own rules on an ongoing basis, the state must not permit new drilling." As recounted in the separate Pennsylvania-specific analysis, failure to enforce oil and gas regulations means that Pennsylvania is not seeking, documenting, sanctioning, deterring, and cleaning up problems associated with irresponsible oil and gas operations such as chemical spills, equipment failure, accidents, and discharges into drinking water supplies Among the study’s findings --
"Many households here started having problems with their water and air after drilling began, but it's been impossible to get answers from the state DEP about what's gone wrong and what they plan to do about it," says Janet McIntyre of Conoquenessing Township. "It seems like the only time DEP shows up to check on sites is when someone calls with a complaint. DEP is a public agency, but we've been left on our own to deal with the loss of water or drinking water and unexplained health problems." Drawn from both the data analysis and the stakeholder interviews, the report makes numerous common sense policy and regulatory recommendations to address the enforcement crisis, including --
“This report shows that the industry’s claim that ‘oil and gas development doesn’t threaten public health’ is a fraud,” said Earthworks Executive Director Jennifer Krill. She continued, “Until common sense changes are implemented, states must refuse to issue new drilling permits. ” Reports:
More contacts:
*** Earthworks, and its Oil & Gas Accountability Project (OGAP), is dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of irresponsible mineral and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions. Twitter: earthworksrocks |
Save Our Streams PA would like to ask you to take a few minutes to consider the hazards and risks associated with unplugged oil and gas wells. To obtain more information, please visit the links provided here. More importantly, I hope this letter will inspire you to take a few minutes to write to your state representatives1, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection2 (PADEP), the Technical Advisory Board2b ,your local municipal and county officials. Tell them that unplugged, abandoned wells near new drilling operations need to be plugged.
I am asking you to do this on behalf of all citizens who currently live in areas that have unplugged, abandoned wells,3 located throughout the historic oil and gas regions 3bof Pennsylvania.
Where active drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations takes place in the vicinity of abandoned and unplugged wells4, the natural protections assumed to be provided by underground geology no longer exist because abandoned wells may act as direct pathways for methane to travel to the aquifer and surface. The presence of abandoned wells significantly heightens the risk of methane migration and contamination.
Lives have been lost5, homes have exploded6, geysers have occurred7, and water sources have been contaminated8. These events have been well documented by the PADEP9 and the news media.
We should not tolerate this. We need our elected officials to work diligently to address this problem.
This is not about stopping shale gas exploration.
This is not about politics.
This is about replacing the current plan, which allows oil and gas operators to plug nearby unplugged wells on a voluntary basis10, with a plan that requires operators to plug the abandoned and unplugged wells 11 that are located near new drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations.
This is about being responsible.
This is about protecting the health and safety of citizens, public and private water sources, and the environment.
The Technical Advsory Board (TAB) recently proposed changes to: § 78.15 Application Requirements In the:Summary of Proposed Conceptual Changes Office of Oil and Gas Management (OOGM) Title 25 Pa. Code.12
One of TAB's recommendations is to require operators to identify the locations of abandoned wells within 1,000 feet of the entire well bore length. However, without a requirement to plug those wells, the risks remain.
It is imperative that citizens call for mandatory plugging of abandoned wells located near new drilling operations. Please, share this request with others, and write today! Tell Pennsylvania officials that these risks and not acceptable and that now is the time to take action to minimize the risks associated with abandoned wells.
Thank you,
Save Our Streams PA
1:http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/contact.cfm?body=H&filter=all
2: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
2b: TAB member list: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/advcoun/oil_gas/tabmem.htm
3: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwV75wo6lhJPZ25fei1CWDNPQlU
3b: http://www.mideastgas.com/drilling_areas.html
4: http://www.scribd.com/doc/77582900/Orphaned-NY-Oil-and-Gas-Wells
9: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwV75wo6lhJPR3JFUWNnQm9IQUE
10: http://shadbushcollective.org/?p=382
11:Page 7; 2. Baseline Surveys: The review team also noted that DEP has not required operators to identify potential conduits for fluid migration (such as active and abandoned wells) in the area of hydraulic fracturing. The review team recommends that DEP consider whether there are areas or situations in which wells (active and abandoned) in the vicinity of hydraulic fracturing operations provide pathways for fluid movement into groundwater. In such areas or situations, DEP should require operators to identify and eliminate these potential pathways for fluid movement into groundwater before conducting hydraulic fracturing operations. http://www.strongerinc.org/sites/all/themes/stronger02/downloads/PA%20HF%20Review%20Print%20Version.pdf
12:http://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/2012/TAB%20MEETINGS/Ch78SubchCSummaryFINALDRAFT8-07-12.pdf
Technical Advisory Board member list: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/advcoun/oil_gas/tabmem.htm
Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission
Office of the Governor
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
The Capitol
Albany, New York 12224
July 20, 2012
Dear Governor Cuomo,
We are New York State scientists and medical professionals writing to express our
alarm at your remarks during a June 22nd radio broadcast in which you signal an
imminent end to the review process of high-volume hydraulic fracturing and allege
that “facts and logic and science and information” are not currently informing the
ongoing conversation about fracking.
To the contrary, we, the undersigned members of the scientific and medical
communities, have continuously provided facts, logic, science, and information
about fracking throughout the four-year review process. We have shared our
research findings, summarized evidence, submitted hundreds of comments, and
provided oral and written testimony. The problem is not a lack of scientific
discourse. The problem is that the voice of science is not being heard.
Where facts, logic, science, and information are missing is within the revised draft
Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (sGEIS) itself. This
planning document suffers from arbitrary, biased, unscientific analysis and
multiple data gaps. We concur with the findings of the recent report issued by
Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers for Healthy Energy and Environmental
Working Group, which identifies the ten most serious deficiencies in this draft
plan.* Namely,
• No empirical scientific data on drilling and fracking risks
• Drilling allowed too close to sensitive water supplies
• No plan for disposing of millions of gallons of toxic wastewater
• Radioactive pollution from drilling underestimated
• Outdated studies to estimate greenhouse gas emissions from shale gas operations
• No assessment of the impact of shale gas development on New Yorkers’ health
• Little basic data on the location of underground water supplies, faults and flood
plains
• No review of siting plans and risks of potentially explosive natural gas pipelines
• No provisions to protect sensitive areas from vertical drilling and lower-volume
hydraulic fracturing
• Too few inspectors to enforce scientifically rigorous regulations
* http://static.ewg.org/pdf/Top-Ten-NY-Drilling-Problems.pdf
We insist that the above ten scientific deficiencies be comprehensively addressed
and resolved before any final sGEIS is released. We further insist that the resolution
of these deficiencies determine the decision to permit or prohibit hydraulic
fracturing in New York State. Otherwise, we will be forced to conclude the frenzied,
heedless, self- interested emotions of a gold rush—and not “facts and logic and
science and information”—are the guiding factors in the final determination on
fracking.
In bringing to your attention once more the serious scientific flaws in New York’s
drilling plan, we also restate our opposition to shale gas fracturing demonstration
projects in Broome, Tioga, Chemung, Chenango, and Steuben counties or any
other areas of New York. Communities are not laboratories, and the human beings
who live there— including children, pregnant women, and elderly adults—are not
experimental subjects.
If the gross scientific inadequacies of the revised draft sGEIS document are not
resolved, then no final draft can be released and no decision can be made. We ask
that you listen to science. Scientists and medical professionals are available at any
time to answer your questions and provide input.
Sincerely,
Larysa Dyrszka, MD, Bethel, New York
Sandra Steingraber, PhD
Distinguished Scholar in Residence
Department of Environmental Studies
Ithaca College
Each signatory of this letter has significant professional experience in health care,
engineering, environmental science, and/or public health research. We write to you
as individuals and our professional affiliations are listed for your information only.
You should not infer any endorsement of our viewpoint by our affiliated
institutions.
Additional signatories:
• Charles B Howarth, MD, Bassett Healthcare Network, Fly Creek, NY
• Russell A. Charif, PhD, Research Team Leader, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Michelle Bamberger, DVM, Veterinarian/Researcher, Cornell University, Ithaca,
NY
• Perry Sheffield, MD, Pediatrician, New York, NY
• George Grills, PhD, Director of Operations of Core Facilities in the Life
Sciences and Director of Advanced Technology Assessment, Cornell University,
Ithaca, NY
• Chris Callinan, Environmental Scientist / Watershed Technician, Rock Tavern,
NY
• Jordan Lewart, DMD, Dentist, Orangeburg, NY
• Stephen S. Schneider, MD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Deposit, NY
• Maya Shetreat-Klein, MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
• Robert A. Schulman, MD, Callicoon Center, NY
• Michael O'Brien, MD, Clinical Instructor of Medicine, University at Buffalo,
Buffalo, NY
• Adam Law, MD, Ithaca, NY
• Laura Stenzler, MS, Lab Manager, Evolutionary Biology Program, Cornell Lab
of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY
• Sandra G. Podulka, MS, Biologist, Brooktondale, NY
• Jennifer Waldron, MS, NP, McDonough, NY
• Paul Bermanzohn, MD, Rosendale, NY
• Anthony R. Ingraffea, PhD, Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY
• Cynthia Connine, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Binghamton University,
Endicott, NY
• Peter Knuepfer, PhD, Associate Professor of Geology, Binghamton University,
Binghamton, NY
• Richard A. Young, PhD, Distinguished Service Professor Geology, SUNY
Geneseo, Geneseo, NY
• Peter Davies, PhD, Professor, Cornell University, Dryden, NY
• J.B. Heiser, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Retired, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Amy Sheldon, PhD, Assistant Professor, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY
• Douglas A. Robinson, Jr., PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology, Mount Saint
Mary College, Newburgh, NY
• Warren Davis, PhD, Laboratory Director, East Concord, NY
• Andrea Worthington, PhD, Professor of Biology, Siena College, Loudonville,
NY
• Ellen Henry, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, University of Rochester
Medical Center, Rochester, NY
• John E. Titus, PhD, Associate Professor, Binghamton University, Binghamton,
NY
• Thomas R. Kulp, PhD, Assistant Professor, Binghamton University,
Binghamton, NY
• Allison Wilson, PhD, Bioscience Resource Project, Ithaca, NY
• John Booker, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Haribal Meena, PhD, Ithaca, NY
• Carole Dennis, ScD, Associate Professor, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
• Diane Long, Associate Professor, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
• David Gould, MD, MBA, Livingston Manor, NY
• Teresa R. Miller, MD, Aurora, NY
• Ken Spaeth, MD, MPH, Environmental Health Specialist, Hastings on Hudson,
NY
• Kathleen Nolan, MD, MSL, Director for the High Peaks, Catskill
Mountainkeeper, Woodstock, NY
• Lisa Levine, MSN, RN, FNP, Nurse Practitioner, Great Neck, NY
• Al Appleton, JD, Cooper Union Sustainability Advisor, New York, NY
• Rhonda Peterson, MD, Almond, NY
• Toby G. Rossman, PhD, Professor of Environmental Medicine, NYU-Langone
School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY
• James C. Macmillan, MD, Ithaca, NY
• Mary Menapace, RN, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse NY
• Barbour S Warren, PhD, Trumansburg, NY
• Mayor Kevin Millar, CRNA, MSN, Owego, NY
• Rick Stahlhut MD, MPH, University of Rochester Medical, Rochester, NY
• Sarah Buckley, RN, BSN, CCRN, Wales, NY
• Julie Huntsman, DVM, Council, Town of Otsego, NY
• John Costello, MD, Ithaca, NY
• Gerri Wiley, Public Health Nurse, Owego, NY
• Jacque Millar, MSN, NP-C, SUNY Upstate Medical, Binghamton, NY
• Dr. CK Durbak, Mountainside, NY
• Ellen M. McHugh, MD, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Horseheads, NY
• Anne B. Clark, PhD, Associate Professor, Binghamton University, Binghamton,
NY
• Michelle McNamara, RN, School Nurse, Ithaca, NY
• Amy Freeth, MD, Bassett Healthcare Network/Columbia College of Physicians
and Surgeons, Cooperstown, NY
• Gianfranco Frittelli, MD, FACS, FAAP, Skaneateles, NY
• Dr. Lance D. Hoffman, Environmental Engineering, Shandaken, NY
• Meriamne Singer, MD, New York, NY
• Lila Kalinich, MD, Professor, Columbia University, New York, NY
• Susan Allen-Gil, PhD, Full Professor, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
• Arlene Bregman, Dr PhD, Educator, New York, NY
• Kelly Branigan, RN, Middlefield, NY
• Anthony F. DeVincentis III, MD, SUNY Upstate, Syracuse, NY
• Peter Schwartz, MD, Ithaca, NY
• Ellen Z. Harrison, Director, Cornell Waste Management Institute, Retired,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Heather Fiumera, PhD, Professor, Binghamton University, Vestal, NY
• Luke Keller, PhD, Ithaca College, Freeville/Dryden, NY
• Robert E. Oswald, PhD, Professor of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University,
Ithaca, NY
• Daria B. Crittenden, MD, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
• Donna Flayhan, PhD, Director, The Lower Manhattan Public Health Project,
State University of New York at New Paltz, Kingston, NY
• Mary Obrien, MD, Columbia University, New York, NY
• Holly McGregor Anderson, BS, NM, RN, Executive Director, Breast Cancer
Coalition of Rochester, Rochester, NY
• Chris Reiber, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, Binghamton University,
Binghamton, NY
• Victor Elinoff, MD, Binghamton, NY
• Jeffrey D. Snedeker, MD, Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, Ithaca, NY
• Mary Herbst, RN, MS, Grand Island, NY
• Coby Schultz, RN, BSN, Rochester General Hospital, Springwater, NY
• Andrew Gold, DDS, White Lake, NY
• Nancy Donnan Coleman, RN, BSN, Livonia, NY
• Gayle Mosher, MD, St. James Mercy Hospital, Hornell, NY
• Richard K. Miller, PhD, Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology, of Environmental
Medicine and of Pathology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and
Dentistry, Pittsford, NY
• Howard Silcoff, MD, Dryden, NY
• Judy Bussone, RN, BSN, Dewitt, NY
• James T. Dalton, MD, Director of Medical Education/Designated Institutional
Official, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY
• Sandra J. Eleczko, DDS, Livonia, NY
• Joyce Duck, Nurse Practitioner, Syracuse, NY
• Claire Howard, Nurse Practitioner, Syracuse, NY
• Nina Pesante, MD, SUNY Health Sciences Center at Syracuse, Vestal, NY
• Kevin Maguire, MD, FACS, CWS, Dr., Bassett Healthcare System,
Cooperstown, NY
• David Schwalb, MD, Youngsville, NY
• Richard Weiskopf, MD, Syracuse, NY
• Elizabeth Salon, Family Nurse Practitioner, Tioga County Public Health Dept.,
Owego, NY
• Rafferty Margaret, DNP, RN, MPH, New York, NY
• Mary Eileen Callan, Family Nurse Practitioner, Webster, NY
• Gay Hosmer, MPH, MCH, Ogdensburg, NY
• Mark Goldgeier, MD, CCD, Rochester, NY
• Mary Nichols, LPN, Sidney Center, NY
• Kim Baker, MSN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Community Health, Albany, NY
• Daniel Miller, MD, New Rochelle, NY
• Kristine Noonan, Registered Nurse, Buffalo, NY
• Antoinette Kuzminski, MD, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, NY
• Bill Podulka, PhD, Physicist, Caroline, NY
• Cynthia Burger, Executive Director, Medical Societies of the Counties of
Broome, Otsego and Tompkins, Binghamton, NY
• Donna Florkiewicz, RN, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, NY
• Michael Branigan, CRNA, MS, Cooperstown, NY
• David Wirtz, MD, MPH, SUNY, Ithaca, NY
• David O. Carpenter, MD, Director and Professor, University at Albany,
Rensselaer, NY
• Brent White, MD, General Surgeon, Cooperstown, NY
• Alfred Peterson, Dr, Binghamton, NY
• Samantha K. Davenport, MD, Chief of Pathology, Bassett Healthcare Network,
Cooperstown, NY
• Anne Gadomski, MD, MPH, Research Scientist and Pediatrician, Bassett
Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY
• Stephanie Oceguera, MD, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY
• Paul Klawitter, MD, PhD, Manlius, NY
• Lisa Rucker, MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
• Philip Goodman, MD, Binghamton, NY
• Christine Ambrosone, PhD, Chair, Dept. of Cancer Prevention and Control,
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
• David Fanion, MD, Cooperstown, NY
• Emily DeSantis, DO, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY
• Laura Neiman, PsyD, New York, NY
• Matthew Spencer, MD, Otsego, NY
• Susan Fiore, MD, Bassett Healthcare, Walton, NY
• Andrew D. Coates, MD, Albany Medical College, Delmar, NY
• Richard A. Bennett, MD, PhD, Physician (and former toxicologist (MIT),
Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, NY
• E. Louis Priem, MD, Intensivist, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY
• Niksa Vlasic, MD, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira, NY
• Leslie Bank, MD, Binghamton, NY
• Patricia Gambitta, PhD, Psychologist, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown,
NY
• Florence S. Lee, MD, Endwell, NY
• Beth Olearczyk, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Columbia
University, Cooperstown, NY
• Joseph Mannino, MD, Trumansburg, NY
• Bonnie Spanier, PhD, U. at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY
• David T. Griger, DO, Bassett Health Center, Cooperstown, NY
• Lynn Darkow, RN, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
• Raquel Rosen, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Columbia
University, Cooperstown, NY
• Sharon Ziegler, MD, Family Medicine Associates of Ithaca, Ithaca, NY
• John Schwartz, PhD, Physics, retired, Ithaca College, Richford, New York
• David Duggan, MD, Interim Dean, College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate,
Syracuse, NY
• Ann Wexler, MSW, Ithaca, NY
• Peter Clark, MD, Groton, NY
• Stephanie Westerman, DVM, Medaille College, Buffalo, NY
• James W Walker, MD, Bassett Healthcare Network, Oneonta, NY
• Cora Lee Foster, MD, Ithaca, NY
• Edward Bischof, MD, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown
• Arnold Matlin, MD, Physician, Linwood, NY
• Ann Mathias, RN, Buffalo, NY
• Cornelia Farnum, Dr., Cornell University, Brooktondale, NY
• Nancy B. Stewart, MD, Ithaca, NY
• Ellie Kraft-Sanders, Nurse Practitioner, Ithaca, NY
• Margaret Mitchell, MD, SUNY at Buffalo, Amherst, NY
• Karen M. Landt, MS, NP, MS, Nurse Practitioner, Clinton Crossings
Dermatology, Rochester, NY
• Paul A. Dura, MD, Rheumatologist/Internist, Upstate Medical, Binghamton
Clinical Campus, Binghamton, NY
• Marne O'Shae, MD, Clinical Director, Ithaca NY
• Humaira Hassan, MD, Internal Medicine, Ithaca, NY
• Steven Berk, MD, Scarsdale, NY
• Eric Lessinger, MD, Family Physician, Cayuga Med Center, Trumansburg, NY
• Chad Haller, MD, Queens, NY
• Alice Grow, RN, Newfield, NY
• JR Latham, Dr., Ithaca, NY
• Barbara F. Usher, PhD, Ithaca, NY
• Christina La Barre, MS, FNP, MS, FNP, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY
• Janice Pegels, MD, Binghamton/Chenango, NY
• Diane Dougherty, RN, Brooktondale, NY
• Vicki E. Cohn, DDS, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, NY
• Rebekah Bowser, RN, BSN, Phoenixville, NY
• Emoke Karonis, Clinical RN 3, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New
York, NY
• Mary Jo Provenzano, RN, Callan Harris Physical Therapy, Rochester, NY
• Judith Maidenbaum, PhD, New York, NY
• Eric London, MD, psychiatrist, Autism Science Foundation, Bethel, NY
• Esther Herkowitz, LMHC, Newfield, NY
• Vicki Meyers-Wallen, Associate Professor, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Kenneth Jaffe, MD, Physician & Farmer, Slope Farms, Meredith, NY
• Karen Matteson, RN, Tonawanda, NY
• Andrew Rauscher MD, Richfield Springs, NY
• Marcelo A Barreiro, MD, MSc, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
• Amr A Shady, MD, United Medical Associates, Johnson City, NY
• Elmer E. Ewing, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Cornell College of Ag. & Life
Sciences, Ithaca, NY
• Deborah Jacobi-Rodriguez, PNP, Tonawanda, NY
• Bruce Cavaretta, EMT-P/CIC, Bloomfield, NY
• Susanne Callan-Harris, Physical Therapist, University Health Services URMC,
Rochester, NY
• Jose Torrado, MD, Ithaca, NY
• David Bernard, MD, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY
• Martin C Mahoney, MD, Amherst, NY
• William Richtsmeier, MD, PhD, Chief of Otolaryngology, Bassett Health
Network, Cooperstown, NY
• Elizabeth Boham, MD, Valatie, NY
• Luis Oceguera, MD, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY
• Amanda Gulla, PhD, Lehman College/CUNY, Bronx, NY
• Kitty Vetter, RN and Sullivan County Legislator, Livingston Manor, NY
• Andrew Kanter Assistant Professor of Clinical Biomedical Informatics and
Clinical Epidemiology, Earth Institute/Columbia University, New York, NY
• Michael Millar, RN, BA in Geosciences from Hamilton College, BS in Nursing
from University of Rochester, Owego, NY
• Anne Stork, PhD from the Department of Ecology and Systematics, Cornell
University; Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Ithaca,
Ithaca, NY
• Jackie Gagen, NM, CNM, MS, Skaneateles, NY
• Gene Sienkiewicz, Assoc. Clinical Professor of Dermatology, SUNY Upstate,
Vestal, NY
• Dr. Michelle Pavillard, University Of New England College Of Osteopathic
Medicine grad. 1982, Board Certified, Corning, NY
• Gretchen Hodgdon, MD, Bassett Medical Center, University at Buffalo (SUNY)
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cooperstown, NY
• John Robert Leuenberger, DO, Resident in Family Medicine, Johnson City, NY
• Lisa Brothwell, PhD, East Aurora Psychological Services, East Aurora, NY
• David S Dinhofer, Clinical Assistant Professor, Radiology, SUNY Downstate
Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
• Shannon Gearhart, MD, East Elmhurst, NY
• Suzanne Anderson, MD, Trumansburg Family Health Center, Trumansburg, NY
• Michael Tunick, DO, Licensed in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine,
Apalachin, NY
• Renee E. Mestad, MD, MSCI, DO, SUNY Upstate Medical University,
Syracuse, NY
• Mary K Bennett, MD, Emergency Physician, Buffalo, NY
• Antonia Demas, Ph.D., Visiting Scholar, Johns Hopkins School of Public
Health, Trumansburg, NY
• Natalie Tulchin, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Mt.Sinai School of Medicine, New
York, NY
• Mark Witmer, DO, Wells College, Berkshire, NY
• Catherine Ross, DVM, Colonial Veterinary Hospital, Ithaca, NY
• Jane Schantz, Family Nurse Practitioner, Ithaca, NY
• Emily Greenspan, M.D., Brooklyn, NY
• Charlotte Phillips, M.D., Brooklyn, NY
• Laurie Freeman, Associate Professor, Fulton-Montgomery Community College,
Johnstown, NY
• Toni Kurasch, RN, New York, NY
• Susan Emerson, MD, Cobleskill, NY
• Stephen Dahmer, MD, CCHH, Family Medicine, New York, NY
• Robert S. Kurtz, MD, Visiting Associate Professor, SUNY DMC, Surgery,
Brooklyn, NY
• Maxine Orris, MD, New York, NY
• Marina Kubicek, RN, Forest Hills, NY
• Lawrence Schneider, Professional Engineer, Cooper Union, Forest Hills, NY
• Michele Manisoff, MA, OTR/L, Long Island City, NY
• Jeremiah Gelles, MD, Brooklyn, NY
• Jean Naples, Tropical Medicine Researcher, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, West Haverstraw,
NY
• Mary Wheat, MD, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
• Paul L Houston, Peter W Debye Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY
• Gerson Lesser, Professor, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
• Norma MT Braun, MD, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia
University, Medicine, New York, NY
• Carl Braun, MD, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospitals, Neurology, New York, NY
• Nathan Boddie, MD, MS, New York, NY
• Sharon Nolting, MA, LCSW, Psychotherapy, New York, NY
• Anna Burton, MD, Physician, NYU Langone Medical Center, Psychiatry, New
York, NY
• Shirley Schue, PNP, Pediatrics, Cooperstown, NY
• Nan Simpson, R.N., Amherst, NY
• Frederick M. Barken, M. D., Physician, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Andrew Sikora, Assistant Professor, Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
Otolaryngology, New York, NY
• Jonathan Raskin, MD, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
• Jill Schneiderman, Professor of Earth Science, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie,
NY
• Ralph Alvarez, MD, Warwick, NY
• Margo Yntema, RN, Cayuga Medical Center, Willseyville, NY
• Gregory Weiland, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Cornell University,
Molecular Medicine, Groton, NY
• Deborah Carrasquillo, MS, RN, PMC, Nurse Educator, Warsaw, NY
• Karen Blain, NNP, South Wales, NY
• Gerson Lesser, MD, Clinical Professor, NYU School of Medicine, New York,
NY
• Thomas Fasy, MD, PhD, New York, NY
• Laura Kilty, MD, Bassett Health Network, Surgery, Cooperstown, NY
• Marybeth Carlberg, MD, SUNY Upstate, Family Practice, Skaneateles, NY
Contact Person: Dr. Mary Bachran
Published: Nov. 17th 2006
Source: The Endocrine Disruption Exchange
Introduction
This project was designed to explore the health effects of the products and chemicals used in drilling, fracturing ("frac'ing"), and recovery of natural gas. It provides a glimpse at the pattern(s) of possible health hazards for those living in proximity to gas development. In the process of researching the literature, we discovered that drilling companies have access to hundreds of products, the components of which are in many cases unavailable for public scrutiny. This spreadsheet addresses only those chemicals and products for which there is evidence that they are or have been used in western Colorado, and for which there were data about their health effects. We make no claim that this list is complete.
1. The four most common adverse health effects for the chemicals in the spreadsheet are skin/sense organ toxicity, respiratory problems, neurotoxicity, and gastrointestinal/liver damage.
2. Only a fraction of the chemicals used by the natural gas industry is covered in this spreadsheet. For example, in the course of our investigations, we discovered a list of 910 "frac'ing" products and chemicals compiled by the Canadian government.
3. Many of the citations in the spreadsheet used to establish the health effects of the chemicals are old. In some of those cases we were able to get data only from an abstract. In other cases, we were able to get quotations about the health effect(s) from only toxic chemical databases, such as TOXNET, HAZMET, etc. For some of the older products and/or chemicals since the 60's or 70's we found no new studies.
4. Several reasons led to the lack of data about the health effects of some of the products and chemicals on the spread sheet:
(a) We found no health effect data for a particular chemical or product.
(b) Some product labels have no ingredients listed.
(c) Some product labels provide only a general heading such as "plasticizer", "crosslinker" etc.
(d) Some product labels state only "proprietary" or provide only the name of one or two ingredients plus "proprietary".
5. This spreadsheet provides no clues to the volumes of material injected underground during natural gas development. However, typical drilling and stimulation activities use up to 150,000 to 500,000 gallons or more of fluid at each frac'ing. What chemicals constitute these liquids, and at what concentrations, is unknown.
6. This spreadsheet provides only a hint of the combinations and permutations of mixtures possible and the possible aggregate exposure.
7. Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are designed to provide information to protect those who handle, ship, and use the product(s). The sheets are also designed to protect emergency response crews in case of accidents or spills. The data in the MSDSs do not take into consideration the health impacts resulting from chronic or long-term, continual, and/or intermittent exposure.
8. The MSDSs are often sketchy and provide health effects information for only one or two chemicals in a product. In the case of mixtures, the health effects warnings are often not chemical specific.
9. The following figures are based on the data in the Chemicals Used in Natural Gas Development Spreadsheet. They are presented to define a pattern of the possible toxicity of the chemicals and products that are being used. Of the 231 chemicals on the list:
10. Of the 59, (25%) of the chemicals on the list that are soluble, or miscible:
11. Of the chemicals on the list, 7% are contained in specifically designated biocide products.
Comments
Many of the chemicals on this list have been tested for lethality and acute toxicity. The majority have never been tested for low dose, long term effects that may not be expressed until long after exposure. Nor have adequate ecological studies been done. For example, most of the chemicals have not been tested for their effects on terrestrial wildlife or fish, birds, and invertebrates. It is reasonable to assume that the health endpoints listed above could very well be seen in wildlife, domestic animals, and pets.
The products labeled as biocides are among the most lethal in the spreadsheet, and with good reason. Bacterial activity in well casings, pipes and joints can be highly corrosive, costly, and dangerous. Nonetheless, when these products return to the surface through the retrieval process they pose a significant danger to workers and those living near the well and evaporation ponds.
The use of respirators, goggles and gloves is advised on many of the MSDSs for the products on this list. This indicates serious, acute toxicity problems that are not being addressed in the recovery process when the chemicals come back to the surface. It raises concern over possible hazards posed to those living in proximity to well pads as the chemicals evaporate or penetrate water and soil.
Industry claims that 70% of the material it injects underground is retrieved. While the fate of the remaining 30% is unknown, the recovered product is placed in holding pits on the surface and allowed to evaporate. This results in many highly toxic chemicals being released into the air, as well as being dispersed into local surface waters. The condensed residues remaining in the pits are taken off-site and re-injected in the ground posing concerns for aquifers. However, at some locations, because of regional differences in geology and technology, 100% of the material remains underground.
After development ceases on the well pad and the well goes into production, the evaporation pits containing highly concentrated, lethal residues are bulldozed over. It is impossible to predict how long the buried chemicals will remain in place. Chemicals like MTBE that are highly persistent could migrate into underground water resources.
Prior to use, these products must be shipped to and stored somewhere in our counties before being transported to the well site. They pose a hazard on our highways, roads, and rail systems, as well as to people living and working near the storage facilities.
Recently, in our efforts to get lists of the chemicals or products used or stored for natural gas development, we were told that the information may no longer be available because it could aid and abet terrorists. The fact that these chemicals are considered so dangerous underlines how important it is to be aware of their presence in our watersheds. The necessity for full disclosure cannot be emphasized enough if we are to protect our watersheds and public health. Proper monitoring of air and water cannot be designed without knowing what to look for.
Some of the chemicals on the list, such as citric acid or polysaccharide, are frequently found in the environment or household products and generally do not cause harm. Polysaccharides are found in almost all plant material and are often defined as complex sugars of which there are vast numbers. However, they appear in this spreadsheet because they are an ingredient and are included on the MSDS sheet for the product with warnings attached, such as "may cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation…" However, there is no way to know whether the polysaccharide has been modified to become toxic.
Other chemicals, such as citric acid, can be toxic when encountered in high concentration, or, perhaps, during certain exposures (such as inhalation versus skin contact). Because only a small percentage of the total composition of most of the products in this spreadsheet is available, we cannot say for certain whether such chemicals are harmless in their application. Under the present system, there are not enough data to determine the safety of products that contain mixtures of relatively "benign" ingredients and unknown chemicals, when the actual percentage composition is not provided.
As we have added products to the spreadsheet the percentages of toxic effects occasionally shifted. Changes such as this will continue as more products and chemicals are entered into the database. Thus far, despite small increases or decreases in percentage, the top four health effects of concern have remained the same. They are skin and sensory organ, gastro-intestinal/liver, and respiratory, and neurological system damage.
If you would like to help the Responsible Drilling Alliance by making a donation, click the button below:
