SHE Lab

Oil well pumping next to homes overlooking Southern California.

Joint Statement by the Co-Chairs of the CalGEM Public Health Science Advisory Panel

The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) released a discussion draft of their public health rule on oil and gas development for public comment.

A national Public Health Science Advisory Panel chaired by Drs. Seth Shonkoff (PSE Healthy Energy/UC Berkeley) and Rachel Morello-Frosch (UC Berkeley) was convened to review the scientific evidence regarding the public health implications of oil and gas development. The panel has been providing scientific advice, including this written response to CalGEM queries.

Joint statement from Drs. Seth Shonkoff and Rachel Morello-Frosch, co-chairs of the CalGEM Public Health Science Advisory Panel:

The weight of the peer-reviewed scientific evidence demonstrates the adverse community health impacts of oil and gas development. In particular, many studies of birth outcomes and respiratory effects show evidence of harm up to 1 km (3,200 feet), and some studies show evidence of harm at even greater distances. To protect the health of communities living near oil and gas development, integrated strategies including setbacks, engineering controls, and consistent environmental monitoring are needed to reduce health risks.

Rachel Morello-Frosch, PhD, MPH
Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management & School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

Seth B.C. Shonkoff, PhD, MPH
Executive Director, PSE Healthy Energy
Visiting Scholar, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management
University of California, Berkeley