This month, Environmental Health News (EHN) published a series of articles discussing its investigation into the body burden of shale gas development in southwestern Pennsylvania. EHP has singled out this investigation as “first-rate, cutting-edge work.” The report revealed:
Evidence of harmful chemicals like benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and toluene in the bodies of adults and children at levels up to 91 times higher than is seen in the average American.
Cancer-causing chemicals in air samples at levels exceeding recommended safety thresholds.
Harmful chemicals like benzene, naphthalene, and xylene in drinking water.
The 2-year investigation also exposed a regulatory system that favors shale gas development at the expense of residents’ mental, physical, and social wellbeing. The investigation was conducted by EHN staff reporter and investigative journalist Kristina Marusic.
The four-part series is available here. Interested in reading more? EHN has released a series of public responses to the report here.
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