Addressing uncertainty in public health risks due to hydraulic fracturing

Ward, H. Trawick; Eykelbosh, Angela; Nicol, Anne‐Marie

doi:10.5864/d2016-013

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…A growing number of studies address different aspects of uncertainty, risk, and their communication to and with various audiences (e.g., Mythen & Wardman, 2016; Schneider 2016) across a variety of hazards (Johnson & Nakayachi, 2017; Lazrus, Morss, Demuth, Lazo, & Bostrom, 2016; Ward, Eykelbosh, & Nicol, 2016). Furthermore, investigators have studied end user understanding of forecast uncertainties (Joslyn & LeClerc, 2012), probabilities, and frequencies (Joslyn & Nichols, 2009), and have identified strategies to better communicate under conditions of threat (Nadav‐Greenberg & Joslyn, 2009).…”

Section: Existing Knowledge Gaps In Uncertainty Assessment and Emerging Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Frontiers of Uncertainty Estimation in Interdisciplinary Disaster Research and Practice

2019

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Conceptualizing, assessing and managing disaster risks involve collecting and synthesizing pluralistic information--from natural, built, and human systems--to characterize disaster impacts and guide policy on effective resilience investments. Disaster research and practice, therefore, are highly complex and inherently interdisciplinary endeavors. Characterizing the uncertainties involved in interdisciplinary disaster research is imperative, since misrepresenting uncertainty can lead to This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. myopic decisions and sub-optimal societal outcomes. Efficacious disaster mitigation should, therefore, explicitly address the uncertainties associated with all stages of hazard modeling, preparation and response. However, uncertainty assessment and communication in the context of interdisciplinary disaster research remain understudied. In this 'Perspective' paper, we argue that in harnessing interdisciplinary methods and diverse data types in disaster research, careful deliberations on assessing Type III and Type IV errors are imperative. Additionally, we discuss the pathologies in frequentist approaches, calling for an increasing role for Bayesian methods in uncertainty estimations. Moreover, we discuss the potential trade-offs associated with information and uncertainty, calling for deliberate consideration of the role of diversity of information prior to setting the scope in interdisciplinary modeling. Future research guided by further reflections on the ideas raised in this paper could help push the frontiers of uncertainty estimation in interdisciplinary hazard research and practice.

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Section: Existing Knowledge Gaps In Uncertainty Assessment and Emerging Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Frontiers of Uncertainty Estimation in Interdisciplinary Disaster Research and Practice

2019

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Psychosocial Impact of Fracking: a Review of the Literature on the Mental Health Consequences of Hydraulic Fracturing

Hirsch

Smalley

Selby-Nelson³

et al. 2017

Int J Ment Health Addiction

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Environmental and individual PAH exposures near rural natural gas extraction

Paulik

Hobbie

Rohlman

et al. 2018

Environmental Pollution

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Natural gas extraction (NGE) has expanded rapidly in the United States in recent years. Despite concerns, there is little information about the effects of NGE on air quality or personal exposures of people living or working nearby. Recent research suggests NGE emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into air. This study used low-density polyethylene passive samplers to measure concentrations of PAHs in air near active (n = 3) and proposed (n = 2) NGE sites. At each site, two concentric rings of air samplers were placed around the active or proposed well pad location. Silicone wristbands were used to assess personal PAH exposures of participants (n = 19) living or working near the sampling sites. All samples were analyzed for 62 PAHs using GC-MS/MS, and point sources were estimated using the fluoranthene/pyrene isomer ratio. ∑PAH was significantly higher in air at active NGE sites (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.01). PAHs in air were also more petrogenic (petroleum-derived) at active NGE sites. This suggests that PAH mixtures at active NGE sites may have been affected by direct emissions from petroleum sources at these sites. ∑PAH was also significantly higher in wristbands from participants who had active NGE wells on their properties than from participants who did not (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between ∑PAH in participants' wristbands and ∑PAH in air measured closest to participants' homes or workplaces (simple linear regression, p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that living or working near an active NGE well may increase personal PAH exposure. This work also supports the utility of the silicone wristband to assess personal PAH exposure.

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Addressing uncertainty in public health risks due to hydraulic fracturing

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

The Frontiers of Uncertainty Estimation in Interdisciplinary Disaster Research and Practice

The Frontiers of Uncertainty Estimation in Interdisciplinary Disaster Research and Practice

Psychosocial Impact of Fracking: a Review of the Literature on the Mental Health Consequences of Hydraulic Fracturing

Environmental and individual PAH exposures near rural natural gas extraction

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