Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
Pitt gets $2.5 million contract to study health effects of fracking | TribLIVE.com
Oakland

Pitt gets $2.5 million contract to study health effects of fracking

Teghan Simonton
3356880_web1_WEB-fracking-wellpad
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
A drilling rig towers over the walls of Huntley & Huntley Energy Exploration’s Poseidon well pad in Penn Township, as seen on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018.

The Department of Health on Tuesday announced a $2.5 million contract with the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health to study possible health effects of fracking – particularly in Western Pennsylvania.

“My administration is committed to ensuring that Pennsylvania is a healthy, vibrant place for all who call it home,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement. “We look forward to the invaluable research that will be done by the University of Pittsburgh and the information it will provide for the commonwealth.”

The contract will fund two studies from Pitt researchers: one focused on childhood cancers in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the other looking for acute conditions such as asthma and birth outcomes — also using data from the region.

“We have heard the concerns from families and community members impacted by cancer and other health issues in the southwestern part of the state, and we are dedicated to taking the proper steps to keep our residents healthy,” Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement.

The Department of Health in March published a report on the number of occurrences of Ewing’s family of tumors, a kind of cancerous tumor found in bones or soft tissue, in Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The report found that the childhood cancer rate and the rate of Ewing’s tumors was slightly higher in fracking counties than others — but not enough to be statistically significant.

Numerous studies have been published in recent years implying the long-term impacts of living near fracking sites, citing contamination to water and air and linking the practice to a variety of health issues. Still, advocates argue research has not been conclusive and fracking remains a staple in regions of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“The protection of health and safety — for the communities where we’re privileged to operate and for our dedicated workforce — is our industry’s top commitment and focus every single day,” David Spigelmyer, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, said in a statement. “We understand these complex and emotional issues have raised important questions and while the Wolf administration has limited the scope of the research, we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively as this work gets underway given the priority we place on our communities.”

The Pitt researchers will expand on existing research within the next two years. Pitt Public Health will produce summaries on the research each quarter, and there will be a public meeting at the end of the project to discuss the final outcomes of the research.

Evelyn Talbott, professor of epidemiology, will lead the study on childhood cancers.

“I grew up in Washington County, and one of my first epidemiology investigations at Pitt involved a health study of thyroid cancer among those living near a uranium mill tailings site,” Talbott said. “So this investigation holds both personal and professional significance to me.”

Meanwhile, Jeanine Buchanich, director the Pitt Public Health’s Center for Occupational Biostatistics and Epidemiology, will try to replicate earlier studies on other health conditions.

“As a lifelong resident of Southwestern Pennsylvania with much of my research focusing on environmental health in the area, I am personally and professionally committed to a systematic investigation of the health effects of hydraulic fracturing,” Buchanich said.

Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.

Get Ad-Free >

Categories: Local | Oakland | Pittsburgh | Top Stories
";