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Health officials want studies of natural gas projects
By Christian M. Wade, Statehouse News
June 25, 2019
https://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/local_news/health-officials-want-studies-of-natural-gas-projects/article_caba0f07-89ab-585d-a801-37175b0fcb73.html

There are many health risks associated with fracked gas and fossil fuel infrastructure that are under the radar as far as regulators are concerned.  Health care professionals are raising awareness of these risks and working to bring reform to the way FERC and other regulators consider projects for approval.

PARTICULATE EMISSIONS
Particulate emissions mostly occur at points in a pipeline system where fracked gas is burned. This is at compressor stations that burn fracked gas to run turbines, or at associated gas-fired electric generation plants.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that are emitted both by un-burned fracked gas (through leaks and blow-down facilities) and in smaller amounts when gas is burned to power turbines.

The lectures below address specific health effects of both.

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• Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking Fracking

(UNCONVENTIONAL GAS AND OIL EXTRACTION)
Sixth Edition, June 2019
Concerned Health Professionals of NY
– Affiliate of Physicians for Social Responsibility

»» ‘The Harms of Fracking’: New Report Details Increased Risks of Asthma, Birth Defects and Cancer
By Justin Nobel, Rolling Stone
March 13, 2018

• “Natural Gas Infrastructure and Public Health”

This conference from Boston is available on video online, along with the PDF of the program. This Conference was co-sponsored by the MAHB, Mass Health Professionals for Clean Energy, Mass. Medical Society, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Policy Action, Union of Concerned Scientists, Health Care Without Harm, and Boston University. Conference Date: 1/30/2018

• Webinar from Halt the Harm on how to use the FrackHealth Database

Quick and informative webinar on how to access articles and studies on health effects related to fracking. Not much on pipelines, compressor stations or end use yet, but there is a way to submit info you have as well. Webinar Date: 1/31/2018

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» Effects of Burning Natural Gas Indoors
(gas appliances)

Mass Health Care Professionals for Clean Energy

– Mass Health Care Professionals for Clean Energy
Massachusetts health providers concerned about the health risks associated with gas pipeline infrastructure and with climate change.

https://archive.org/embed/DoubleACS_GasCompressorEvent

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Natural Gas: Rethinking the Narrative

Dr. Curt Nordgaard speaking on the health risks of fracked gas at Arlington Public Library. March 13, 2017
[archiveorg id=DoubleACS_GasCompressorEvent width=640 height=480]
Arlington Community Media, Inc., organized by Mothers Out Front and Sustainable Arlington

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SWP-EHP Health Effect of Gas Infrastructure

» Health Effects Associated with Stack Chemical Emissions from NYS Natural Gas Compressor Stations: 2008 – 2014
October 12, 2017
A Technical Report Prepared for the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project, underwritten by the Park Foundation

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Use the information from this study:
The EHP team recommended that local activists bring the information from this presentation to elected officials and to use in comments on dockets for projects being considered for approval.

Get “baseline” tests before construction begins:
They also recommend conducting “baseline” tests, getting samples of local conditions before any infrastructure is built, to help build a case for any damages to environment, health and safety if the infrastructure is later built and operational.
» Check out the Speck Monitors reviewed in the presentation

The question was raised of whether the costs of testing (estimated in the presentation to be as low as $5,000 to more expensive for more extentive tests), should be required to be paid by the pipeline company. This request should be brought up on the FERC docket as a conditional demand of approval of the pipeline.

» Read more and view slides and other presentation materials

Contact EHP:
EHP is available in New Haven for those interested in following up. It’s best to contact Celia Lewis directly: clewis@environmentalhealthproject.org

(Tiny URL for this page: tinyurl.com/GasHealthRisks )