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Data Collection & Analysis

EHP collects, analyzes, and presents shale gas exposure information that informs frontline communities and empowers them to advocate for ending or mitigating harmful emissions.

Our data collection and analysis work includes:
 

  • Employing the Environmental HealthWatch Model and AirView app in enrolled HealthWatch communities 

  • Conducting data reviews and analyses in frontline communities collecting data 

  • Performing atmospheric and dispersion modeling in communities with existing or planned shale gas infrastructure 

  • Administrating health surveys in enrolled HealthWatch communities 

 
For more information on our data collection and analysis work, contact EHP at info@environmentalhealthproject.org or 724-260-5504.

Current Projects

Petrochemical Developments in the Ohio River Valley Story Map

An overview of the petrochemical buildout in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Click here to view the story map.

Environmental HealthWatch Model

EHP’s Environmental HealthWatch Model allows communities to determine the extent of extreme episodic exposures occurring in the vicinity of local compressor stations or other industrial facilities and documents changes in wellness over time. This tracking is crucial because these exposures are known to cause harm to the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, as well as impair the development of infants and children. Evidence of these periodic, high exposures demonstrates how current air regulations fall short of protecting affected communities.

EHP AirView: A Community Pollution Reporting App

EHP has built and continues to develop a tool for the communities in which we work. The tool will allow community members to view the data collected by their air monitors, including data collected on spikes and peaks.

Beaver County, PA

EHP is monitoring the situation around the developing Shell cracker plant in Monaca by collecting baseline data against which we can compare pollution impacts once the site becomes operational. The site is anticipated to become operational in 2022.

Cecil Township, PA

24-hour operations began at the Augustine well pad in Cecil Township on April 2, 2021. The pad hosts four wells. Since 2019, EHP has been monitoring air quality around this location and will monitor for spikes in emissions now that fracking has begun.

Dutchess County, NY

EHP continues to work with the community of Dover Plains in Dutchess County, NY, around the Cricket Valley power plant. Dover Plains and Slate Hill are the first two groups EHP has trained to use our HealthWatch Model, as well as the first two communities in which monitoring is being conducted surrounding a natural gas power plant.

Westmoreland County, PA

Air monitoring in Ligonier in Westmoreland County, PA, is officially underway. The community will host up to ten pairs of air monitors.

Medina County, OH

Since 2019, EHP has served Medina residents with PM2.5 and tVOC monitoring, as well as chemical sampling. We have conducted health surveys of individuals living near the Wadsworth compressor station.

Orange County, NY

Since 2020, EHP has hosted five sets of monitors—sets including both PM2.5 and VOC monitoring devices—in Slate Hill in Orange County, NY, working closely with two local groups, Sustainable Warwick and Protect Orange County. There are several emitters in this area, including the CPV Valley Energy Center and the Minisink compressor station. Slate Hill and Dover Plains are the first two groups EHP has trained to use our HealthWatch Model, as well as the first two communities in which monitoring is being conducted surrounding a natural gas power plant.

Washington County, PA

Since 2020, EHP has worked with residents of Smith Township in Washington County, PA, to monitor PM2.5 and tVOC in relation to nearby wells, cryogenic facilities, and compressor stations.

Past Projects

Allegheny County, PA

EHP hosted community meetings with partner organizations to identify locations for local monitoring projects surrounding shale gas development infrastructure across the county. In North Braddock and McKees Rocks specifically, EHP contributed to regional shifts in public perception and understanding of the health impacts of oil and gas development by providing information for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's public hearing on the proposed well at the Edgar Thompson Works. EHP also canvassed residential areas in McKees Rocks to educate residents on the MRIE frac sand facility site and its role in localized air pollution.

Buckingham County, VA

In 2018 and 2019, EHP worked with Friends of Buckingham to place air quality monitors and conduct health surveys in an historically Black community that was slated to have a new compressor station built near their town. Friends of Buckingham successfully fought to have the permit for the compressor station overturned in federal court in January 2020.

Burlington County, NJ

In 2018 and 2019, EHP worked with a task force associated with the town of Chesterfield to conduct a community science project involving baseline air monitoring and health surveys in response to a new compressor station.

Kern County, CA

In 2016 and 2017, EHP conducted health and air and water quality monitoring in Lost Hills.

Washington County, PA

We began our work in Washington County in 2012. For nearly 10 years, we have collaborated with Washington County families, residents, and health professionals to defend their health — and their patients' health — against the impacts of shale gas development. Of our accomplishments in Washington County, a notable moment for our organization was the 2019 community meeting we held in Canonsburg, where more than 200 community members met to discuss childhood cancers in the area. This meeting propelled a movement to open discussions on the topic and encouraged local residents to advocate for further conducted research and policy changes.

Sandoval County, NM

In 2018 and 2019, EHP worked with Sierra Club member Teresa Seamster and the Navajo Nation to provide air monitoring in a region of oil and gas wells. Local Navajo conducted health surveys and health impact assessments in collaboration with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. They continue to fight for the cease of new oil and gas development in their region.

Chemung, Delaware, Duchess, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Orange, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Tompkins Counties, NY

EHP has worked in the state of New York since 2014, serving residents in 12 communities. 10 of these communities hosted compressor stations that were slated for expansion or were anticipating new compressor station development. One of these communities successfully negotiated with the pipeline company to upgrade equipment to reduce dangerous pollutants.

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