More InformationStacy, et al. (2015) Perinatal outcomes and unconventional natural gas operations in Southwest Pennsylvania. McKenzie, et al. (2014) Birth outcomes and maternal residential proximity to natural gas development in rural Colorado. |
Perinatal outcomes and unconventional natural gas development in Southwest Pennsylvania
On May 5th, 2016, Dr. Shaina Stacy discussed her work investigating the potential impact of unconventional natural gas development (UGD) on infant health, particularly in southwest Pennsylvania, where the industry has been expanding rapidly since 2007. There is a small but growing body of research demonstrating that living near UGD may negatively impact infant health, including increased risk for certain birth defects, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Dr. Stacy's research has shown that infants born to mothers living in more densely drilled areas may have lower birth weights compared to those living in areas with less drilling activity from a wastewater injection disposal site.
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Dr. Stacy is a postdoctoral research associate at the Brown University School of Public Health. She received her Master of Public Health and PhD in Environmental and Occupational Health from the University of Pittsburgh. During this time, she worked with Dr. Bruce Pitt and Dr. Evelyn Talbott investigating the effects of environmental exposures on infant and children's health. This included her work exploring the potential health effects of unconventional natural gas development in southwest Pennsylvania. She currently works with Dr. Joseph Braun exploring the impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol A and triclosan, on children's neurobehavioral health.
This presentation was the second in a three-part series of teleconference calls on how chemicals associated with unconventional oil and gas development may be affecting endocrine function, reproduction and prenatal development.
