University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health will receive a $2.5 million contract from the state of Pennsylvania to study the health effects of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking.
The announcement was made Tuesday morning by the Wolf administration.
“We are pleased to announce that we have chosen a partner to assist us in researching the health effects of hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “My administration is committed to ensuring that Pennsylvania is a healthy, vibrant place for all who call it home. We look forward to the invaluable research that will be done by the University of Pittsburgh and the information it will provide for the commonwealth.”
The school will study known and suspected health effects of fracking including childhood cancer, as well as conditions like asthma.
Related
“We have heard the concerns from families and community members impacted by cancer and other health issues in the southwestern part of the state, and we are dedicated to taking the proper steps to keep our residents healthy,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We are committed to a healthy Pennsylvania for all and efforts that prevent injury and disease in the state. This essential research project is a testament to that.”
In March, the administration published a report following increased concerns of Ewing's family of tumors in Washington and Westmoreland counties and was published as a follow-up to the state's April 2019 report on Ewing's tumors for Washington County and the Canon-McMillan School District.
That report stated:
"Based on the data we currently have, when compared to incidence rates for the rest of the Pennsylvania population, male and female incidence rates for the Ewing’s family of tumors and childhood cancers in Washington County and Canon-McMillan School District were not consistently and statistically significantly higher than expected in all three time periods analyzed.
In a statement to KDKA Radio, Marcellus Shale Coalition president David Spigelmyer said “The protection of health and safety – for the communities where we’re privileged to operate and for our dedicated workforce – is our industry’s top commitment and focus every single day.
"We understand these complex and emotional issues have raised important questions and while the Wolf administration has limited the scope of the research, we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively as this work gets underway given the priority we place on our communities.”