Six-Year Study On Effects Of Oil And Gas Emissions On Cattle Completed
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Study Finds Few Associations Between Emissions And Overall Health Of Cattle
A six-year study of cattle herds near oil and gas facilities in western Canada, completed in 2006, has found few associations between emissions and the overall health of cattle.
The Western Canada Study of Animal Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Facilities, released by the Western Interprovincial Scientific Studies Association (WISSA) in May 2006, involved the collection and analysis of data from approximately 33,000 cattle in 205 herds in Alberta, Saskatchewan and northeast B.C.
The $17 million study, the most comprehensive of its kind ever completed, was conducted by researchers based at the University of Saskatchewan, led by principal researcher Dr. Cheryl Waldner, under the ongoing peer review process by a Science Advisory Panel (SAP) of 11 internationally renowned researchers and scientists.
The purpose and design of the study was to investigate potential associations between exposure to emissions from oil and natural gas facilities with the health and productivity of cattle, prompted by long-standing concerns of cattle producers that emissions from oil and gas facilities, often located on rangeland near their cattle herds, may cause reproductive failures or disease in the cattle.
The research protocol was designed to ensure scientifically sound findings, which could help provide better information for decision-makers on the future development and implementation of recommendations regarding future practices.
“Looking at the results from a broader perspective, across all of the exposures and outcomes of the Study, the most predominant pattern is that there were no associations between the measured exposures and most of the health outcomes,” said Dr. Tee Guidotti, Co-chair of the Science Advisory Panel, and Chair of Environmental and Occupational Health from the School of Public Health and Health Services at the George Washington University Medical Centre in Washington, D.C. “Where associations were found, some were small, and while statistically significant, the biological relevance and practical importance of the findings are unknown.”
He noted one exception may be an association found between exposure to sulphur dioxide (SO(2)) and a slight increase in calf mortality of one to two per cent above the background at the highest measured levels of exposure. However, the presence of an association alone does not prove these emissions caused a change in animal health.
“Overall, the WISSA Study has been a massive and challenging undertaking, directed by an innovative management model, and conducted using advanced scientific methods,” said Dr. Guidotti. “In the opinion of the Scientific Advisory Panel, this is important, statistically and scientifically valid benchmark study that can be the basis for more focused research in a number of areas.”
“WISSA is a unique partnership that delivers definitive, independent scientific answers to the interrelationship of two key industries in Western Canada – oil and gas and cattle,” said John Donner, Chair of the WISSA Board of Directors. “It has resulted in clear findings. We now need to go through these findings and the science behind them with interested stakeholders.
“It has also given us a wealth of information about Western Canadian herds, and we need to use that information for continuous improvements on herd management and, possibly, further research,” Donner said.
WISSA is a not-for-profit organization, federally incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act, created by the four western provincial governments to manage an independent, objective research study. The organization is managed by a Board of Directors drawn from the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Copies of the Interpretive Overview by the Science Advisory Panel, and the Technical Summary of the Western Canada Study of Animal Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Field Facilities are available at https://www.wissa.info.
@ May 19, 2006