This is not the latest version of this item. The latest version can be found here.
Assessing Exposure to Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Strengths, Challenges, and Implications for Epidemiologic Research
Name
40572_2022_Article_358.pdf
Size
1.32 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
d66f1c8798d7183b74fe08b28b0036bd
Author(s)
Deziel, Nicole C.
Clark, Cassandra J.
Casey, Joan A.
Bell, Michelle L.
Plata, Desiree L.
Saiers, James E.
Date Issued
May 6, 2022
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Citation
Deziel, Nicole C., Clark, Cassandra J., Casey, Joan A., Bell, Michelle L., Plata, Desiree L. et al. 2022. "Assessing Exposure to Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Strengths, Challenges, and Implications for Epidemiologic Research."
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Epidemiologic studies have observed elevated health risks in populations living near unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD). In this narrative review, we discuss strengths and limitations of UOG exposure assessment approaches used in or available for epidemiologic studies, emphasizing studies of children’s health outcomes.
Recent Findings
Exposure assessment challenges include (1) numerous potential stressors with distinct spatiotemporal patterns, (2) critical exposure windows that cover long periods and occur in the past, and (3) limited existing monitoring data coupled with the resource-intensiveness of collecting new exposure measurements to capture spatiotemporal variation. All epidemiologic studies used proximity-based models for exposure assessment as opposed to surveys, biomonitoring, or environmental measurements. Nearly all studies used aggregate (rather than pathway-specific) models, which are useful surrogates for the complex mix of potential hazards.
Summary
Simple and less-specific exposure assessment approaches have benefits in terms of scalability, interpretability, and relevance to specific policy initiatives such as set-back distances. More detailed and specific models and metrics, including dispersion methods and stressor-specific models, could reduce exposure misclassification, illuminate underlying exposure pathways, and inform emission control and exposure mitigation strategies. While less practical in a large population, collection of multi-media environmental and biological exposure measurements would be feasible in cohort subsets. Such assessments are well-suited to provide insights into the presence and magnitude of exposures to UOG-related stressors in relation to spatial surrogates and to better elucidate the plausibility of observed effects in both children and adults.
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-022-00358-4
