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Smedley PL, Allen G, Baptie BJ, Fraser-Harris AP, Ward RS, Chambers RM, Gilfillan SMV, Hall JA, Hughes AG, Manning DAC, McDermott CI, Nagheli S, Shaw JT, Werner MJ, Worrall F. Equipping for risk: Lessons learnt from the UK shale-gas experience on assessing environmental risks for the future geoenergy use of the deep subsurface. Sci Total Environ 2024; 921:171036. [PMID: 38373449 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
findings are presented from an investigation to improve understanding of the environmental risks associated with developing an unconventional-hydrocarbons industry in the UK. The EQUIPT4RISK project, funded by UK Research Councils, focused on investigations around Preston New Road (PNR), Fylde, Lancashire, and Kirby Misperton Site A (KMA), North Yorkshire, where operator licences to explore for shale gas by hydraulic fracturing (HF) were issued in 2016, although exploration only took place at PNR. EQUIPT4RISK considered atmospheric (greenhouse gases, air quality), water (groundwater quality) and solid-earth (seismicity) compartments to characterise and model local conditions and environmental responses to HF activities. Risk assessment was based on the source-pathway-receptor approach. Baseline monitoring of air around the two sites characterised the variability with meteorological conditions, and isotopic signatures were able to discriminate biogenic methane (cattle) from thermogenic (natural-gas) sources. Monitoring of a post-HF nitrogen-lift (well-cleaning) operation at PNR detected the release of atmospheric emissions of methane (4.2 ± 1.4 t CH4). Groundwater monitoring around KMA identified high baseline methane concentrations and detected ethane and propane at some locations. Dissolved methane was inferred from stable-isotopic evidence as overwhelmingly of biogenic origin. Groundwater-quality monitoring around PNR found no evidence of HF-induced impacts. Two approaches for modelling induced seismicity and associated seismic risk were developed using observations of seismicity and operational parameters from PNR in 2018 and 2019. Novel methodologies developed for monitoring include use of machine learning to identify fugitive atmospheric methane, Bayesian statistics to assess changes to groundwater quality, a seismicity forecasting model seeded by the HF-fluid injection rate and high-resolution monitoring of soil-gas methane. The project developed a risk-assessment framework, aligned with ISO 31000 risk-management principles, to assess the theoretical combined and cumulative environmental risks from operations over time. This demonstrated the spatial and temporal evolution of risk profiles: seismic and atmospheric impacts from the shale-gas operations are modelled to be localised and short-lived, while risk to groundwater quality is longer-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L Smedley
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK.
| | - G Allen
- Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Simon Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - B J Baptie
- British Geological Survey, Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
| | - A P Fraser-Harris
- School of Geosciences, King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh, James Hutton Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK
| | - R S Ward
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - R M Chambers
- School of Geosciences, King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh, James Hutton Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK
| | - S M V Gilfillan
- School of Geosciences, King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh, James Hutton Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK
| | - J A Hall
- School of Engineering, Drummond Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - A G Hughes
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - D A C Manning
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - C I McDermott
- School of Geosciences, King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh, James Hutton Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK
| | - S Nagheli
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - J T Shaw
- Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Simon Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; Now at: National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, UK
| | - M J Werner
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK
| | - F Worrall
- Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
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Asada Y, Hughes AG, Read M, Schwartz MB, Chriqui JF. High School Students' Recommendations to Improve School Food Environments: Insights From a Critical Stakeholder Group. J Sch Health 2017; 87:842-849. [PMID: 29023833 DOI: 10.1111/josh.12562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) directed the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revise school meal standards. Students are most affected by efforts to improve the school food environment; yet, few studies directly include students. This study examined high school students' experiences of school meal reform to gain insight into implementation recommendations. METHODS We conducted 5 focus groups with high school students (N = 15) from high schools across 9 states. We also conducted follow-up interviews to further explore personal experiences. Focus groups and interview transcripts were coded and organized in Atlas.ti v7 by analysts, following principles of constant comparative analysis. RESULTS Students reported overall positive perceptions of the revised school meal standards and supported continued efforts to improve the food environment. Recommendations to improve the food environment included engaging students, focusing on the quality and palatability of meal items, moving toward scratch-cooking, and addressing cafeteria infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS Students' recommendations point to opportunities where school districts, as well as local, state, and federal organizations can work to improve the school food environment. Their insights are directly relevant to USDA's recently released Local School Wellness Policy final rule, of which school meal standards are one provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Asada
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747W Roosevelt Rd M/C 275, Chicago, IL 60608
| | - Alejandro G Hughes
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747W Roosevelt Rd M/C 275, Chicago, IL 60608
| | - Margaret Read
- UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, University of Connecticut, One Constitution Plaza, Suite 600, Hartford, CT 06103
| | - Marlene B Schwartz
- UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, One Constitution Plaza, Suite 600, Hartford, CT 06103
| | - Jamie F Chriqui
- Healthy Policy & Administration, School of Public Health and Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747W Roosevelt Rd, M/C 275, Chicago, IL 60608
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Abstract
Nebraska ranks 36th nationally in colorectal cancer screening. Despite recent increases in CRC screening rates, rural areas in Nebraska have consistently shown lower rates of CRC screening uptake, compared to urban areas. The objective of this study was to investigate reasons for lower CRC screening rates among Nebraska residents, especially among rural residents. We developed a questionnaire based on Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs to identify factors associated with the use of CRC screening. The questionnaire was mailed in 2014 to adults aged 50-75 years in an urban community in the east and a rural community in the west regions of the state. Multiple logistic regression models were created to assess the effects of HBM constructs, rural residence, and demographic factors on CRC screening use. Of the 1200 surveys mailed, 393 were returned (rural n = 200, urban n = 193). Rural respondents were more likely to perceive screening cost as a barrier. Rural residents were also more likely to report that CRC cannot be prevented and it would change their whole life. In multiple regression models, rural residence, perceived embarrassment, and perceived unpleasantness about screening were significantly associated with reduced odds of receiving colonoscopy. Older age (62 years and older), having a personal doctor, and perceived risk of getting CRC were significantly associated with increased odds of receiving colonoscopy. Interventions to increase uptake of colorectal cancer screening in rural residents should be tailored to acknowledge unique perceptions of screening methods and barriers to screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro G Hughes
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 984395 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4395, USA
| | - Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 984395 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4395, USA.
| | - Paulette Schnell
- Department of Community Health, Regional West Medical Center, 3700 Avenue B, Scottsbluff, NE, 69361, USA
| | - Amr S Soliman
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 984395 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4395, USA
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