The recent studies conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, alongside sensationalized headlines, have created unnecessary confusion about the safety of natural gas development (“Fracking study points to health costs,” Aug. 24, TribLIVE). As an industry built on scientific research and facts, let us set the record on the studies’ actual takeaways.
The studies commissioned by the previous administration have fundamental shortcomings in their research methods, flaws that misinform the findings. The reports found no causation to any of the health risks studied and merely make proximal associations based on flawed and skewed measurements and disregard key environmental factors.
Limitations such as a lack of consideration for other environmental factors including a uranium waste site, ignoring key data sets for control groups, employing extremely broad proximities, and not measuring exposure all raise doubts about the studies and their claimed associations.
Further, there’s a decade’s worth of site-level and peer-reviewed research that confirms: Natural gas development is safe, well-regulated, and produced here better than anywhere else in the world. Studies — which never triggered the same sensationalized headlines — from Pennsylvania’s DEP, Yale, Duke and Penn State researchers, among many others, conclude no systemic, widespread issues tied to natural gas.
Our industry has an unwavering commitment to protecting this region’s environment, health and safety — especially for our families who live and work here. We support objective, scientific research and remain dedicated to both as we responsibly supply the domestic natural gas essential to modern life.
David Callahan
Robinson
The writer is president of the Pittsburgh-based Marcellus Shale Coalition.