Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – A group of health care professionals sought an independent investigation of the state health office as the agency oversight the health complaints against the Marcellus drilling project.
The state Department of Health is now facing a controversial issue after two groups of health care experts called an independent probe over the Marcellus drilling activities that resulted in health complaints. The agency made changes to their response in a press conference after the coalition urged for a separate investigation.
The group of health care professionals involved the Physicians for Social Responsibility and PennEnvironment, and the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. Both groups claimed they have gathered 400 signatures, urging the agency to do more because an urgent care is needed to address the issue of health complaints.
The Villanova University health center director Ruth McDermott-Levy said drilling operations certainly affect the air quality. Such activities could cause asthma and other pulmonary problems that may require a visit to an urgent care clinic. She added, some studies indicated that conceiving mothers living nearby gas well sites have increased risk of delivering low-birth weight babies. McDermott-Levy emphasized the need for a quick response and solution from the state health department, although she has been studying the health concerns of Northern Pennsylvanian residents.
Adam Garber from the PennEnvironment group said the investigation of the health department must be handled by the Legislature through public hearing, the auditor’s general office, or the attorney general’s office. However, health professionals should be represented as well.
In addition to the independent probe, both groups also want the state to create a health registry and database of reports and phone calls about drilling-health related issues. This will serve as a sort of an urgent care near me solution for residents.
Former health department workers allegedly ignored the health complaints of residents, claiming their superiors ordered them not to respond to such drilling-related inquiries. The entire health department denied such allegations. Health Secretary Michael Wolf said the department will make complaint procedures easier and will coordinate with the Department of Environmental Protection.
Affected residents will have to visit urgent care clinics once pulmonary problems occur. But prevention of such health issues would be better. Senator John Yudichak said the agency acknowledged their inadequacy in responding to and in handling the health concerns related to drilling operations and the entire natural gas industry. Thus, it has resulted in the creation of stronger regulations, he added. Health registry funding is expected soon to deal with health complaints faster and easier.
