A Year Later: Have Leaders Addressed Health Concerns from the Pitt Studies?

In August 2023, the University of Pittsburgh released the results of studies on the health impacts of living near shale gas wells in Pennsylvania. Since these studies were released, families have continued to suffer, yet many of Pennsylvania's leaders have been silent about the health impacts identified in the research.

The Pitt Studies, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Health,  linked shale gas operations to childhood cancer, babies born with low birth weight, and worsening asthma outcomes. Among the studies' findings: children who lived within one mile of a gas well had 5 to 7 times the chance of developing lymphoma, a type of cancer.

Join us on Thursday, September 19, to learn about these studies and the urgent need to address the health impacts of the shale gas industry. The webinar will also discuss promises made by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to Pennsylvania residents and Governor Shapiro's deal with CNX Resources, a shale gas producer.

Press Conference Recording

Webinar Recording

Speakers

Laura Dagley, BSN, RN

Environmental Health & Medical Writer

Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania

Heaven Lee Sensky

Organizing Director

Center for Coalfield Justice

Katie Jones

Ohio River Valley Coordinator

FracTracker Alliance

Aaron E. Makatura

Project Coordinator for Appalachia

Environmental Health Project

Edward C. Ketyer, M.D., F.A.A.P.

AAP Council on Environmental Health & Climate Change

Medical Advisor, Environmental Health Project

President, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania

Background: EHP's Featured Research Review on the Pitt Studies

Buchanich, J., Talbott, E., Arena, V., Bear, T., Fabisiak, J, Wenzel, S., Youk, A., Yuan, J. (2023): Final Report for Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology Hydraulic Fracturing Epidemiology Research Studies: Childhood Cancer Case-Control Study

A report on birth outcomes the University of Pittsburgh prepared for the PA Department of Health adds further evidence to shale gas operations' impact gas operations’ impact on the prevalence of childhood cancer.

Buchanich, J., Talbott, E., Arena, V., Bear, T., Fabisiak, J, Wenzel, S., Youk, A., Yuan, J. (2023): Final Report for Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology Hydraulic Fracturing Epidemiology Research Studies: Birth Outcomes

A report on birth outcomes the University of Pittsburgh prepared for the PA Department of Health adds further evidence to shale gas operations' impact on pregnancy and newborns.

Buchanich, J., Talbott, E., Arena, V., Bear, T., Fabisiak, J, Wenzel, S., Youk, A., Yuan, J. (2023): Final Report for Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology: Hydraulic Fracturing Epidemiology Research Studies: Asthma Outcomes

A report on asthma outcomes the University of Pittsburgh prepared for the PA Department of Health adds further evidence to shale gas operations’ role in aggravating asthma responses in patients.