Health Issues Surrounding Solution Gas Flaring In Alberta Past, Present And Future

摘要

Public concern over the potential health impacts of solution gas flaring has heightened recentlyrnacross Alberta. Numerous communities are demanding restrictions or virtual moratoriums on flaringrnactivities. Although actions are being taken by the industry and regulatory authorities to reduce flaringrnand to seek alternative technologies, some members of the public views these initiatives as being “toornlittle, too late”. These individuals claim their health has already been compromised, their herds alreadyrnharmed, and their land already damaged. The growing public concern has been accompanied byrnmounting “anecdotal” evidence linking flaring to a number of diseases and adverse health outcomes,rnincluding cancer, miscarriages, stillbirths, infertility, and asthma. This paper examines the “scientific”rnevidence surrounding the association between flaring and health effects It includes discussion of thernvarious determinants of disease in order to provide proper perspective of the purported linkages betweenrnflaring and health impacts. It also includes discussion of the intrinsic toxicity of the various chemicalrnconstituents of flare emissions and the opportunities for exposure to these chemicals as a means to gaugernthe health risks that might be presented. The paper concludes that there is no solid scientific evidence tornsuggest that a poisoning pandemic due to solution gas flaring is currently occurring across Alberta, butrnlocalized health impacts among individuals living in close proximity to flares cannot be entirely ruledrnout at this time. Further information is needed in order to positively rule out any health risks associatedrnwith flaring under these circumstances. Suggestions for possible steps to be taken to collect suchrninformation are offered.