Seismic Impacts

Seismic Impacts

Seismic Impacts

Recent evidence from studies in Ohio and Oklahoma suggest that HVHF can contribute
to the induction of earthquakes during fracturing (Holland, 2014; Maxwell, 2013).
Although the potential public health consequence of these relatively mild earthquakes is
unknown, this evidence raises new concerns about this potential HVHF impact.

Community Impacts

There are numerous historical examples of the negative impact of rapid and
concentrated increases in extractive resource development (e.g., energy, precious
metals) resulting in indirect community impacts such as interference with quality-of-life
(e.g., noise, odors), overburdened transportation and health infrastructure, and
disproportionate increases in social problems, particularly in small isolated rural
communities where local governments and infrastructure tend to be unprepared for
rapid changes (Headwaters, 2013). Similar concerns have been raised in some
communities where HVHF activity has increased rapidly (Stedman, 2012; Texas DSHS,
2010; Witter, 2010; WVDEP, 2013).

A recent study from Pennsylvania also reports that automobile and truck accident rates
in 2010–2012 from counties with heavy HVHF activity were between 15% and 65%
higher than accident rates in counties without HVHF. Rates of traffic fatalities and major
injuries were higher in 2012 in heavy drilling counties in southwestern Pennsylvania
compared to non-drilling counties (Graham, 2015).
Health Outcomes near HVHF Activity
Although well-designed, long-term health studies assessing the effect of HVHF activity
on health outcomes have not been completed, there is published health literature that
examines health outcomes in relation to residential proximity to HVHF well pads. One
peer-reviewed study and one university report have presented data indicating statistical
associations between some birth outcomes (low birth weight and some congenital
defects) and residential proximity of the mother to well pads during pregnancy (Hill,
2012; McKenzie, 2014). Proximity to higher-density HVHF well pad development was
associated with increased incidence of congenital heart defects and neural-tube defects
in one of the studies (McKenzie, 2014).
Several published reports present data from surveys of health complaints among
residents living near HVHF activities. Commonly reported symptoms include skin rash
or irritation, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties or cough,
nosebleeds, anxiety/stress, headache, dizziness, eye irritation, and throat irritation in
people and farm animals within proximity to HVHF natural gas development
(Bamberger, 2012; Finkel, 2013; Steinzor, 2012). Federal investigators have also
reported that sub-standard work practices and deficient operational controls at well pads
contributed to elevated crystalline silica exposures among workers during HVHF
operations (US DOL, 2012). While this report focused on worker exposures, it highlights

a possible exposure concern for residents living close to HVHF operations if silica
emissions from onsite operations are not properly controlled.
Substantial Gaps Remain
Systematic investigations studying the effects of HVHF activity on groundwater
resources, local-community air quality, radon exposure, noise exposure, wastewater
treatment, induced seismicity, traffic, psychosocial stress, and injuries would help
reduce scientific uncertainties. While some of the on-going or proposed major study
initiatives may help close those existing data gaps, each of these alone would not
adequately address the array of complex concerns related to HVHF activities.
For example:
Marcellus Shale Initiative Study
Geisinger Health System, the lead organization in the collaborative Marcellus Shale
Initiative, cares for many patients in areas where shale gas is being developed in
Pennsylvania. They began pilot studies in 2013 using well and infrastructure data to
estimate exposures to all aspects of Marcellus shale development in Pennsylvania.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) abstract, they will use these
exposure estimates to evaluate whether asthma control and pregnancy outcomes are
affected by Marcellus shale development by studying 30,000 asthma patients and
22,000 pregnancies in the Geisinger Health System from 2006-13. Results from this
study are not expected to be available for several years.

University of Colorado at Boulder, Sustainability Research Network
A five-year cooperative agreement funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)
under NSF’s Sustainability Research Network competition, this program involves a
multidisciplinary team of investigators and is intended to address:
“the conflict between natural gas extraction and water and air resources
protection with the development of a social-ecological system framework
with which to assess the conflict and to identify needs for scientific
information. Scientific investigations will be conducted to assess and
mitigate the problems. Outreach and education efforts will focus on citizen
science, public involvement, and awareness of the science and policy
issues” (Univ. Colorado, 2012; Shonkoff, 2014).
Published research has been produced from this program investigating associations
between HVHF activity and birth outcomes and potential for methane leakage from
natural gas infrastructure. The cooperative agreement extends to 2017.
EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking
Water Resources
Begun in 2011, the purpose of the study is to assess the potential impacts of hydraulic
fracturing on drinking water resources, if any, and to identify the driving factors that may
affect the severity and frequency of such impacts. The research approach includes:
analyses of existing data, scenario evaluations, laboratory studies, toxicity studies, and
case studies. US EPA released a progress report on December 21, 2012 and stated
that preliminary results of the study are expected to be released as a draft for public and

peer review as soon as the end of 2014, although the full study is not expected to be
completed before 2016.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) Comprehensive Oil
and Gas Development Radiation Study
Started in early 2013, PA DEP is analyzing the radioactivity levels in produced and
flowback waters, wastewater recycling, treatment sludges, and drill cuttings, as well as
issues with transportation, storage, and disposal of drilling wastes, the levels of radon in
natural gas, and potential exposures to workers and the public. According to a July
2014 update from the PA DEP, publication of a report could occur as soon as the end
of 2014.
University of Pennsylvania Study
A proposed study of HVHF health impacts was announced several months ago. The
study is led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with
scientists from Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of
North Carolina.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Recently proposed community air monitoring will determine concentrations of fine and
coarse (silica-sized) particles near a transfer facility that handles hydraulic fracturing
silica sand.
These major study initiatives may eventually reduce uncertainties regarding health
impacts of HVHF and could contribute to a much more complete knowledge base for

managing HVHF risks. However, it will be years before most of these major initiatives
are completed.
Other governmental and research institutes have also recently conducted health impact
assessments of HVHF (Institute of Medicine, 2014). These include: the European
Commission; University of Michigan, Graham Sustainability Institute; Research Triangle
Environmental Health Collaborative; Nova Scotia Independent Panel on Hydraulic
Fracturing; Inter-Environmental Health Sciences Core Center Working Group on
Unconventional Natural Gas Drilling Operations funded by the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences; and the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental
Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland. While these assessments
identify many of the same potential environmental impacts mentioned above, more
importantly, they reiterate that significant gaps exist in the knowledge of potential public
health impacts from HVHF and of the effectiveness of some mitigation measures.