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Scoping Meeting for Human Health Study Critique

January 17, 2018

The Health Effects Institute (HEI) Energy Research Program hosted its first public meeting to discuss the Energy Research Committee’s (the Committee) critique of the human health literature related to the development of oil and natural gas from unconventional resources (UOGD) across the United States. The Committee will systematically review the literature, examining the strengths and limitations of the epidemiologic literature and reaching conclusions about what it does and does not tell us about the potential health effects associated with UOGD. The Committee will identify knowledge gaps that could be filled with original research to address concerns about adverse effects on the health of people living in communities affected by UOGD.

This Scoping Meeting provided an opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders to engage with one another and share their recommendations for the Committee’s Critique. In addition, meeting participants heard ten speakers from federal and state government, nongovernmental organizations, community groups, industry, and academia, and engaged in a productive exchange with the Committee and other meeting participants about HEI’s plans for its systematic review of the health literature, its review of the exposure literature, and future research challenges and opportunities. The meeting agenda and presentations can be found below. 

Sessions: 

Introduction to HEI's Energy Research Program

Jan. 17, 2018 - 8:30am

8:30 AM Welcome

  • Jared L. Cohon
    , Carnegie Mellon University and HEI Board of Directors

8:35 AM Introductions and Purpose of Session

8:50 AM Overview of the Energy Research Program and how today's meeting contributes to overall objectives for Year 1 and beyond

9:00 AM HEI Research Committee's general approach to conducting the Human Health Study Critique

Presentations

Jan. 17, 2018 - 9:30am

Speakers were asked to address the following questions:

  • What information should the committee review to assess the epidemiological literature related to the onshore development of oil and natural gas from unconventional resources?
  • What criteria should the committee use to evaluate study quality?
  • What do you see as key contributions that the Committee can make to the science and the public dialogue around the development of oil and natural gas from shale and other unconventional resources?
  • Looking beyond the initial Human Health Study Critique task, what do you see as key contributions from the Committee’s review of literature and research planning in Year 1 and beyond?

9:30 AM Exposures and Health Impacts of Unconventional Oil & Gas Development

9:40 AM Why We are Sponsoring the HEI Energy Research Program

9:50 AM Literature Review Scoping Meeting: Human Health Literature Related to UOG Development

10:15 AM Comments on HEI Scoping Meeting for Human Health Study Critique

10:25 AM Comments on HEI Human Health Study Critique

  • Paul Hodgins
    ,

    ConocoPhillips

10:35 AM Comments on HEI Human Health Study Critique

  • Martha Rudolph
    ,

    Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

10:45 AM 1.17.18 Scoping Meeting for Human Health Study Critique

10:55 AM HEI Energy Research Program Scoping Meeting

11:05 AM TCEQ Comments on HEI Literature Systematic Review

11:15 AM Scoping Meeting for Human Health Study Critique

11:25 AM Morning wrap-up and plan for the afternoon

  • George Hornberger
    ,

    Vanderbilt University

Open Discussion with all Meeting Participants

Speaker: All Meeting Participants
Location
Metro Meeting Centers
101 Federal Street
Floor 4
Boston, MA 02110
United States

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