摘要：The development of natural gas wells is rapidly increasing, yet little is known about associated exposures and potential public health consequences. We used health impact assessment (HIA) to provide decision-makers with information to promote public health at a time of rapid decision making for natural gas development. We have reported that natural gas development may expose local residents to air and water contamination, industrial noise and traffic, and community changes. We have provided more than 90 recommendations for preventing or decreasing health impacts associated with these exposures. We also have reflected on the lessons learned from conducting an HIA in a politically charged environment. Finally, we have demonstrated that despite the challenges, HIA can successfully enhance public health policymaking. Many regions of the United States hold large natural gas reserves. 1 Colorado is one of the states experiencing rapid natural gas development. Applications for permits to drill rose from 1939 in 2003 to 7870 in 2008 2,3 and natural gas production rose 110% from 2003 to 2010. 4 The natural gas development process can be divided into the well development phase—involving well pad construction, pipeline installation, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and well completion—and the production phase, when natural gas is routed into pipelines, compressed, processed, and distributed to end users. Concerns about potential drinking water contamination from hydraulic fracturing have dominated public discourse on natural gas development and public health. 5–10 We conducted a health impact assessment (HIA) to systematically and comprehensively evaluate the possible health effects of natural gas development in a residential community in western Colorado.
