Health and Safety

Learn about how the oil and gas industry impacts health and safety through FracTracker articles, maps, and imagery.

Health and Safety Risks

The FracTracker articles and maps below explore the ways that unconventional oil & gas development impact public health and safety, including air pollution, water contamination, pipeline incidents such as explosions, fracking-induced earthquakes, and more. We analyze many of these issues through an Environmental Justice lens, considering that marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by health issues caused by oil and gas activities.

Image Gallery

Explore our images of health and safety issues related to energy exploration, extraction, production, and fossil fuel products and byproducts.

East Palestine Disaster

Explore an album of images related to the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Related Articles

Mapping the Invisible Threat: Emissions from Oil and Gas

/
Hazardous air emissions in Pennsylvania are often hidden, leaking from abandoned wells, seeping from pipelines, and wafting invisibly into the air. This analysis utilizes new technologies and mapping tools to reveal the full scope of the problem and identify areas of particular concern in the state.

How Fracking Bans Protect Communities and the Environment

/
This article looks at the contrasting approach to fracking in Pennsylvania and New York. Pennsylvania’s extensive fracking operations have resulted in environmental and public health concerns. In contrast, New York’s ban on fracking has led to significant investments in renewable energy and permanent jobs.

A Closer Look at Risks of the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub

/
The U.S. Department of Energy's ARCH2 hydrogen hub project presents substantial risks to the environment and human health and safety.
Explore More Topics Explore FracTracker Maps