Several thousand parents across eight Southwestern Pennsylvania counties are being asked to participate in a University of Pittsburgh study examining a possible link between fracking — or other environmental risk factors — and childhood cancer. 

The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health is conducting three separate studies in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

These studies will focus on the potential health impacts of human exposure to environmental risk factors, such as unconventional natural gas development activities, among others.

The first study will focus on finding out if historical exposure to various environmental risk factors may be linked to childhood cancers in Southwestern Pennsylvania using existing data sources and parent interviews.

The second and third studies will use information already available to find out if exposure to environmental risk factors is related to more severe cases of asthma or to increased occurrence of adverse birth outcomes in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Here is background information posted by the University of Pittsburgh School Of Public Health about the childhood cancer study.

What are we studying?

We are studying how exposure to environmental risk factors, such as unconventional natural gas development activities, is potentially linked to childhood cancers.

Childhood cancer is the third-leading cause of death in U.S. children, yet there are very few known risk factors.

This study will consider some of the risks that may play a role. These include lifestyle behaviors, residential history (where people have lived over time), family medical history, potential workplace exposures, and exposure to unconventional natural gas development activities and other industrial pollutants located in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

In addition, not all types of cancers may share the same risk factors, so we will also analyze the association to specific cancer types.

Why is this research being done?

This research is specifically being carried out in Southwestern Pennsylvania in part because of concern that some types of childhood cancer may be elevated.

As stated above, we will consider potential risk factors for childhood cancer based on many years of previous studies.

We hope that the results of this study will help us identify whether exposure to environmental risk factors, such as unconventional natural gas development activities, or where people live and work, may be linked to childhood cancers in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

This will help us develop ways to counter these risks.

Who will be asked to participate in this research study?

We are recruiting a case group—families of children with cancer—to compare to a control group—families of children without cancer.

Eligible participants will be contacted by the project office regarding participation in this study.

For the case group, only parents will be asked to participate in this study if they have a child:

-- Who was diagnosed with Ewing’s/bone cancers at ages birth-29 years during 2010 through 2019; or

-- Who was diagnosed with Childhood Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Central Nervous System tumors at ages birth-19 years during 2010 through 2019.

-- Resided in one of the following Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland.

For the control group, only parents will be asked to participate in this study. The participants in both groups will be matched on age, sex, race, and county.

What will parents be asked to do?

Participants will be asked to complete a 45-60 minute telephone interview about individual, occupational (where they work), and environmental risk factors (e.g. potential chemical exposure where they live). Participants will be compensated for their time.

Support for Study Participants

We understand that the study questionnaire contains some potentially sensitive and personal questions that might cause some discomfort or anxiety in participants.

We have in the past offered support for stress-related issues from participants.

Our interviewers are very sensitive to questions being asked of the participants.

We also let participants know at the outset of the interview that if any question or questions are uncomfortable, they do not have to answer.

Additionally, Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services’ ‘Mental Health in PA’ website offers multiple formats and levels of mental health resources for participants in any of the eight counties being studied.

The PA Support & Referral Helpline is 1-855-284-2494 (TTY: 724-631-5600). Texting “PA” to 741741 will connect participants to a crisis counselor via text.

Confidentiality

Any information provided for this research study will be kept strictly confidential. Information shared with others will be grouped to protect participants so that no one outside of the study team can find out any personal information.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Visit the Childhood Cancer Study webpage for more information.

For more information on all three studies of potential health impacts of human exposure to environmental risk factors such as unconventional natural gas development activities, visit the PA Health and Environment Study webpage.

NewsClips:

-- TribLive: University Of Pittsburgh’s School Of Public Health Recruiting Southwest PA Families For Childhood Cancer Study Related To Shale Gas Development 

-- Observer-Reporter: Public Invited To Oct. 5 Meeting On Shale Gas Health Studies

Related Article - Oct. 5 Public Meeting:

-- Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts Oct. 5 In-Person, Virtual Public Meeting On PA Health Studies Of Natural Gas Development In Southwest PA  [PaEN]

Related Articles - Health Studies:

-- Dept. Of Health Awards $2.5 Million Contract To University of Pittsburgh To Research Health Effects Of Hydraulic Fracturing In PA [PaEN]

-- Health Advocacy Groups Meet With State Dept. Of Health, DEP To Discuss Residents Impacted By Shale Gas Emissions [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Health Visits Communities And Families Impacted By Shale Gas Development, Hears Firsthand Accounts Of Health Harms [PaEN]

-- 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]

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-- Federal Appeals Court Rejects PA Senate Republican Caucus Challenge To Delaware River Basin Commission Natural Gas Fracking Ban  [PaEN]

-- PA League Of Women Voters, University Of Pittsburgh Graduate School Of Public Health Host Nov. 15-16 Shale Gas & Public Health Conference  [PaEN]

-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Educators Professional Development Webinar Oct. 18 - Setback Distances For Unconventional Shale Gas Well Pads - How Close Is Too Close?  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Health Project Marks 10 Years Of Defending Public Health In The Face Of Shale Gas Development

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[Posted: September 12, 2022]

9/19/2022