The growing army of New York health professionals concerned about fracking's health risks have launched a new initiative and invited regional clinicians, researchers, and advocates to join them in assuring that the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) currently requested by Governor Cuomo and undertaken by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) at the behest of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEP) is comprehensive, complete, (and conducted in a transparent process.)
"A pall of ignorance hangs over fracking," said Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., biologist and Distinguished Scholar in Residence, Ithaca College. "Emissions data, monitoring data, exposure data -- these are the things you need in order to judge health effects, and where are they? Held hostage by non-disclosure agreements, gag orders, and right-to-know exemptions."
Speaking in Albany this week, the new group, Concerned Health Professionals of New York, led by Dr. David O. Carpenter, Director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany's School of Public Health, currently speaks for hundreds of health professionals and welcomes others who seek to protect the health of New Yorker's by preventing the incidence of disease (reported by citizens and physicians in neighboring Pennsylvania and elsewhere.)
Just this month, John Adgate, chairman of the Environmental and Occupational Health Department at the Colorado School of Public Health, Lynn Goldman, dean of George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services, and Richard Jackson, chairman of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of California Los Angeles' Fielding School of Public Health were contracted to serve on the DOH review panel.
However, one of the experts, Lynn Goldman said that she had only been given until December 3 deadline to complete her review.
"How can the state of New York ask three outstanding public health experts to evaluate the many risks of fracking -- radiation, diesel exhaust, silica dust, traffic noise, toxic spills -- and give them a few weeks to do the job?, said Dr. David O. Carpenter. "It's ridiculous."
Given such concerns as radioactivity, dangerous air pollution, and water contamination, a comprehensive, thorough and detailed assessment is a must for New York, one of the most populated states in the country, say the health professionals.
The group is concerned that the scientific process could be short circuited because undertaking a complete health scientific review could take time and thus trigger the mandatory expiration of the DEC's proposed fracking guidelines (SGEIS). If not enacted, these are mandated to expire in February -- one year (with a 90 day extension) after the last public hearing. If adequate time is devoted to a complete assessment, this could result in the need for a new set of guidelines, along with a public comment period.
Larysa Dyrszka, M.D., a retired pediatrician and advocate for children's right to health, said, "As a tool for understanding the health risks of a polluting industry, there is no substitute for a comprehensive, transparent health impact assessment with public input. We know that, and we know the advisory panel knows that." But the health professionals tracking the process have not been informed about how extensive the health review will be.
Therefore, the group, Concerned Health Professionals, has compiled extensive information on their website on what is known about the wide-ranging health risks of fracking (as well as allied activities such as hazardous wastewater disposal, pipeline leaks, gas explosions, and chemicals migrating into agriculture and food.) Other concerned health professionals are invited to join them in monitoring the ongoing status of the assessment to assure that the Governor's promise -- to act on science -- in all recommendations about whether or not fracking can proceed.
You can listen to interviews with Sandra Steingraber and Larysa Dyrszka on Connect the Dots radio.
For ongoing information sign up in the box at my website.Or follow me on Twitter @CXtDots
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.