A variety of studies have documented that radioactivity is brought to the surface with natural gas and oil production and travels through natural gas pipelines, oil refining systems, natural gas processing and liquid and solid waste disposal and treatment facilities.
The webinar provides a unique opportunity for advocacy groups, legislators, government regulators, oil and gas industry workers, and residents and community members across the country to learn about this issue, the health concerns and the latest science.
Among the speakers are--
-- Dr. Marsha Haley: University of Pittsburgh radiation oncologist – Speaking about health risks associated with oil and gas industry’s radioactive emissions, the various radioactive elements involved, and the research she is currently involved with on the topic. Haley, M.D., MPH, is a clinical assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She specializes in the treatment of breast and gynecological cancers.
-- Dr. Mark Baskaran: Wayne State University geologist and radon expert – Speaking about research conducted in the Marcellus/Utica shale region involving radioactive emissions at downstream oil and gas infrastructure including pipelines and compressor stations.
-- Dr. Detlev Helmig: Colorado atmospheric scientist and air pollution expert – Speaking on data his team is presently collecting at an oil refinery in Denver, Colorado which involves the first ever continual real-time monitoring of oil and gas industry radioactive emissions. Helmig’s research focuses on surface-atmosphere gas exchange, atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric transport. He is presently studying local and regional air quality in relation to oil and gas operations in Colorado, monitoring that reflects a series of novel instrumental and data processing advancements that facilitate the near-real time reporting of primary air pollutants at a public website.
-- Christina Digulio: Consultant with Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania – Speaking about experience catching a radioactive cloud of emissions on her motorcycle that may have been connected to a purging event on the nearby natural gas liquids pipeline, and the informal network of residents she has setup across southern and southeastern Pennsylvania to help monitor for these concerning pipeline-related blowdown and emissions events.
-- Tammy Murphy, LL.M: Medical advocacy director with Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania – Speaking on considerable efforts her organization has made to inform and spotlight this issue across oil and gas country through a series of virtual and in-person talks and town hall style events, and also ongoing research efforts on the issue, and work done to link residents and scientists and inform regulatory action.
-- Tina Smusz: Former emergency medicine and palliative care physician and Virginia-based member of Physicians for Social Responsibility – Speaking about continued efforts to bring attention to regulators and industry looking to construct the Mountain Valley Pipeline on point of radioactive emissions and radioactive sludge and scale buildup within the pipeline, issues that are presently a regulatory black hole.
-- Bill Limpert: Informed resident – Speaking on an exceptional letter-writing campaign he has undertaken, with the help of many others, to raise considerable awareness to state and federal regulators on the issue of downstream oilfield radioactivity and hold these agencies appropriately accountable. Limpert works on issues of Stormwater Management for Maryland’s National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection.
Justin Nobel, science journalist, will moderate the panel discussion.
Nobel writes on issues of science and the environment for U.S. magazines, investigative sites and literary journals. His 2020 feature with Rolling Stone magazine, “America’s Radioactive Secret,” was the result of a two-year investigation into the radioactivity brought to the surface in oil and gas production and the harms posed to the industry’s workers, the environment, the public and communities; it was awarded Best Narrative Feature with the National Association of Science Writers.
Click Here to register for this free event.
Related Articles:
-- Belle Vernon Municipal Authority Taking A Stand Against Pollution From Drilling Waste
-- Environmental Health Project: PA’s Natural Gas Boom - What Went Wrong? Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do Better To Protect Public Health? [PaEN]
-- Senate Hearing: Body Of Evidence Is 'Large, Growing,’ ‘Consistent’ And 'Compelling' That Shale Gas Development Is Having A Negative Impact On Public Health; PA Must Act [PaEN]
-- Penn State Study: Potential Pollution Caused By Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Makes It Unsuitable For A Dust Suppressant, Washes Right Off The Road Into The Ditch [7.26.22]
[Posted: April 3, 2023] PA Environment Digest
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