2021 Year in Review
As we wrap up 2021 and my first year as executive director, I find myself proud of all that our team has accomplished, the path we are charting as an organization and the initiatives we’ve put in place to continue to improve the health of all Pennsylvanians. Through a year of constant change and readjusting every aspect of our lives – health, school, work and travel – we’ve all learned to compromise and live with the unknown. That is why I am beyond grateful for every email, phone call and conversation I’ve had with YOU, our supporters. Your belief in our mission makes what we do so much more rewarding.
During the past year PSR PA has worked with community groups and impacted residents that are concerned over the increase of Ewing Sarcoma and other rare cancers in southwestern PA. Pressure from our coalition has led Governor Wolf and the Department of Health to launch a pair of studies to explore the health impacts of the unconventional shale oil and gas industry. Since then, we have worked to hold the administration accountable to this promise, to ensure the studies include the impact of radioactive waste streams, and to make sure frontline communities have a direct line of communication with the Department of Health.
PSR PA is also working with researchers from Wayne State University and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to assess radiation exposure to communities in proximity to the unconventional oil and gas development industry. We collected air, water, and soil samples from across the state, and presented our findings in a virtual conference, "Cradle to Grave: The Reverberating Health Hazards of Oil and Gas Industry" on December 10th which you can view by clicking the image below.
