Impact of Natural Gas Extraction on PAH Levels in Ambient Air

Paulik, L. Blair; Donald, Carey E.; Smith, Brian; Tidwell, Lane G.; Hobbie, Kevin A.; Kincl, Laurel; Haynes, Erin N.; Anderson, Kim A.

doi:10.1021/es506095e

Cited by 31 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 47 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Prior studies have demonstrated environmental impacts from the various stages of unconventional natural gas development including pollution of air, 5-9 surface water, 10 groundwater, 11,12 and soil as recently reviewed. 1-3 Truck traffic, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and production can generate diesel particulate matter, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), methane, NO x , and volatile organic compounds, which are also ozone precursors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Birth Outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Unconventional natural gas development has expanded rapidly. In Pennsylvania the number of producing wells increased from zero in 2005 to 3689 in 2013. To our knowledge, no prior publications have focused on unconventional natural gas development and birth outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study using electronic health record data on 9384 mothers linked to 10946 neonates in the Geisinger Health System from January 2009-January 2013. We estimated cumulative exposure to unconventional natural gas development activity with an inverse-distance squared model that incorporated distance to the mother’s home; dates and durations of well pad development, drilling, and hydraulic fracturing; and production volume during the pregnancy. We used multilevel linear and logistic regression models to examine associations between activity index quartile and term birth weight, preterm birth, low 5 minute Apgar score and small size for gestational age, while controlling for potential confounding variables. Results In adjusted models, there was an association between unconventional natural gas development activity and preterm birth that increased across quartiles, with a fourth quartile odds ratio of 1.4 (95% CI: 1.0-1.9). There were no associations of activity with Apgar score, small for gestational age, or term birth weight (after adjustment for year). In a post-hoc analysis, there was an association with physician-recorded high-risk pregnancy identified from the problem list (fourth vs. first quartile, 1.3 [95% CI: 1.1-1.7]). Conclusion Prenatal residential exposure to unconventional natural gas development activity was associated with two pregnancy outcomes, adding to evidence that unconventional natural gas development may impact health.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Birth Outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In cases where potential contaminant source is contested, the ability to differentiate petrogenic from pyrogenic or biogenic PAHs becomes even more critical. Recent studies by Jautzy et al, and Paulik et al, [35,36] as well as others have utilized PAH ratios to identify likely sources of detected PAHs. Amongst the 62 PAHs quantified by this method are 20 alkylated derivatives along with their parental counterparts.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modified ion source triple quadrupole mass spectrometer gas chromatograph for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon analyses

Anderson

Szelewski

Wilson

et al. 2015

Journal of Chromatography A

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We describe modified gas chromatography electron-impact/triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC–EI/MS/MS) utilizing a newly developed hydrogen-injected self-cleaning ion source and modified 9 mm extractor lens. This instrument, with optimized parameters, achieves quantitative separation of 62 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Existing methods historically limited rigorous identification and quantification to a small subset, such as the 16 PAHs the US EPA has defined as priority pollutants. Without the critical source and extractor lens modifications, the off-the-shelf GC–EI/MS/MS system was unsuitable for complex PAH analysis. Separations were enhanced by increased gas flow, a complex GC temperature profile incorporating multiple isothermal periods, specific ramp rates, and a PAH-optimized column. Typical determinations with our refined GC–EI/MS/MS have a large linear range of 1–10,000 pg μl−1 and detection limits of <2 pg μl−1. Included in the 62 PAHs, multiple-reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode enabled GC-EI/MS/MS identification and quantitation of several constituents of the MW 302 PAHs isomers. Using calibration standards, values determined were within 5% of true values over many months. Standard curve r2 values were typically >0.998, exceptional for compounds which are archetypally difficult. With this method benzo[a]fluorene, benzo[b]fluorene, benzo[c]fluorene were fully separated as was benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and benzo[j]fluoranthene. Chrysene and triphenylene, were sufficiently separated to allow accurate quantitation. Mean limits of detection (LODs) across all PAHs were 1.02 ± 0.84 pg μl−1 with indeno[1,2,3-c,d] pyrene having the lowest LOD at 0.26 pg μl−1 and only two analytes above 2.0 pg μl−1; acenaphthalene (2.33 pg μl−1) and dibenzo[a,e]pyrene (6.44 pg μl−1).

show abstract

“…Participant training was accomplished quickly, and the wristbands were worn for days, indicating a relative ease of compliance and incorporating agricultural, domestic and other exposure sources. Ease-of-use of passive samplers has been described previously [46,47], although not at the personal level. Easy training and high compliance rates suggest that the silicone wristbands represent a promising tool for establishing baseline data in pesticide risk management education, a necessary, yet often missing piece of information when evaluating, for example, the effectiveness of farmer field schools [48].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicone wristbands detect individuals' pesticide exposures in West Africa

et al. 2016

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We detected between 2 and 10 pesticides per person with novel sampling devices worn by 35 participants who were actively engaged in farming in Diender, Senegal. Participants were recruited to wear silicone wristbands for each of two separate periods of up to 5 days. Pesticide exposure profiles were highly individualized with only limited associations with demographic data. Using a 63-pesticide dual-column gas chromatography–electron capture detector (GC-ECD) method, we detected pyrethoid insecticides most frequently, followed by organophosphate pesticides which have been linked to adverse health outcomes. This work provides the first report of individualized exposure profiles among smallholder farmers in West Africa, where logistical and practical constraints have prevented the use of more traditional approaches to exposure assessment in the past. The wristbands and associated analytical method enabled detection of a broad range of agricultural, domestic, legacy and current-use pesticides, including esfenvalerate, cypermethrin, lindane, DDT and chlorpyrifos. Participants reported the use of 13 pesticide active ingredients while wearing wristbands. All six of the pesticides that were both reportedly used and included in the analytical method were detected in at least one wristband. An additional 19 pesticide compounds were detected beyond those that were reported to be in use, highlighting the importance of measuring exposure in addition to collecting surveys and self-reported use records. The wristband method is a candidate for more widespread use in pesticide exposure and health monitoring, and in the development of evidence-based policies for human health protection in an area where food security concerns are likely to intensify agricultural production and pesticide use in the near future.

show abstract

Impact of Natural Gas Extraction on PAH Levels in Ambient Air

Cited by 31 publications

References 47 publications

Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Birth Outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA

Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Birth Outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA

Modified ion source triple quadrupole mass spectrometer gas chromatograph for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon analyses

Silicone wristbands detect individuals' pesticide exposures in West Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About