YSPH Study of Environmental Contaminants Associated with Fracking Underway in Ohio

A team of Yale School of Public Health scientists has launched the Ohio Water and Air Quality Study in Belmont County, Ohio. The scientists will collect and analyze water and air samples this summer as well as administer health questionnaires to 100 residents in communities with unconventional natural gas development. The researchers will investigate the potential for exposure to environmental pollutants and whether any health problems have resulted.

Unconventional natural gas development (commonly known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking) has expanded dramatically in Eastern Ohio over the past five years. But information on whether the fracking process contaminates water or air in nearby communities remains limited, said Nicole Deziel, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and the study’s lead researcher.

Hydraulic fracturing. Image credit: Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) Source: Wikipedia

Hydraulic fracturing. Image credit: Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) Source: Wikipedia

Drinking water can become contaminated from improperly constructed or deteriorating wells near fracking sites or from spills, improper storage, transportation or disposal of the wastewater used in fracking. Air pollution can be generated from well site construction, drilling, increased truck traffic and emissions from waste ponds, compressors, or processing stations.

The limited existing health studies suggest an increase in hospitalizations, adverse birth outcomes, such as an increase in congenital heart defects or pre-term births, and respiratory or dermal irritation. Studies measuring concentrations of health-relevant chemicals in drinking water sources are emerging, but data are sparse, particularly in Ohio.

Quantification of the potential exposure to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals by monitoring drinking water and air in people’s homes is a critical piece to understanding the public health impact of hydraulic fracturing,” said Elise Elliott, a doctoral candidate and another researcher of the study.

Unconventional natural gas development involves drilling wells horizontally into rock formations miles underground, pumping millions of gallons of water and chemicals under high pressure to break open the rock, releasing oil or natural gas. Fracking is now commonly used in the United States and has significantly boosted domestic natural gas production and driven down prices.

We hope our results will advance understanding of the potential for exposure to volatile organic compounds and other toxic substances in communities with natural gas extraction by comparing concentrations of chemical contaminants in homes in close proximity to natural gas wells and homes located farther away,” Deziel said.

In addition to Deziel and Elliott, the Yale research team includes professors Brian Leaderer, Xiaomei Ma, Desiree Plata, and current and former students Courtney Pedersen, Chang Wang and Christopher Gerber.

*Source: Yale University

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