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

FracTracker Alliance, 2024

Mapping PFAS Chemicals Used in Fracking Operations in West Virginia

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FracTracker mapped data for a report by Physicians for Social Responsibility that sheds light on the oil and gas industry’s use of hazardous “forever chemicals” in West Virginia.

Empowering Colorado Communities: The Importance of the Community Right to Know Act

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Communities in Colorado should be immediately informed of oil and gas spills that increase their health risks. Our analysis shows why public health alerts are particularly important for communities located near extraction operations.
Ross incinerator in Eaton Township. Photo by Ted Auch, FracTracker Alliance, 2023

Stop Toxic Threat: A Heavy Industrial Zoning Battle

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The Norfolk Southern train derailment in February 2023 ignited a battle for public health, safety, and welfare over 100 miles away in Eaton Township, Ohio.
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