June 6, 2019

Anyone concerned about how living near oil and gas drilling operations or wells can harm their health is invited to attend a webinar by esteemed public health researcher, Dr. Lisa McKenzie on Thursday, June 20th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm via at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8687645289994219523 or in a group setting at the Laramie County Public Library (Willow Room) at 2200 Pioneer Avenue in Cheyenne. McKenzie will present on “Health Risks from Oil & Gas Air Pollutants.”

In a 2018 study, McKenzie and her co-researchers found that air pollutant concentrations increased with proximity to oil and gas facilities, as did health risks along the Colorado Northern Front Range. The study evaluated long-and-short-term exposure to non-methane hydrocarbons such as benzene and other hazardous air pollutants. The findings indicated that state and federal regulatory policies may not protect the health of people residing near oil and gas facilities.

McKenzie is an Assistant Research Professor at the Colorado School of Public Health on the University of Colorado Denver’s Anschutz Medical Campus. McKenzie’s research has contributed to the understanding of how exposures resulting from the unconventional development of petroleum resources affect the public’s health.  Her studies are among the first risk assessments and epidemiological studies on this topic to be published.

“It is critical that decision makers, regulators and the public better understand the research around safe setback distances from oil and gas wells. Dr. McKenzie’s study is cutting-edge as industrial operations move closer to our homes, neighborhoods, and schools, and we hear more and more about health impacts from exposure,” said Alex Bowler, Cheyenne Area Landowner Coalition President and former Wyoming Department of Health program manager.

Anyone with an internet connection can view the free webinar at the above link. Attendees at the group setting at the Laramie County Public Library will be able to participate in a live question and answer session.

The presentation is sponsored by the Cheyenne Area Landowners Coalition (CALC), an affiliate of the Powder River Basin Resource Council, a conservation and landowner group that has worked on responsible energy development in Wyoming for 46 years.

For more information on the event, contact Powder River at 307-286-5531 or email monikal@powderriverbasin.org.