Impact of Oil and Gas Industry on Health Subject of Report

By 250 News

Northern Health has just received a special report on the impacts of the  growth of the oil and gas industry  from  Dr. Lorna Medd, the  former  Chief Medical Health Officer. 

In her report, Dr. Medd  says the oil and gas industry is  growing so fast it has out paced  the  health field’s knowledge of possible health and safety impacts on communities.  She also says her consultations with people in the northeast of B.C. show there is  an uneasiness about  exposures to  H2S and other compounds from oil and gas activity.

There is increased use of emergency room facilities during the peak periods of oil and gas production and this may be the result of transient workers in the field who have no regular physician.

She also discovered there needs to be improvements to the emergency plan so health professionals and the public are better informed.

She makes 9 recommendations which include a call for investigation on the social impacts of resource development in the north eastern part of B.C.  Those investigations should also look at the impact on health services due to the influx of transient workers, more funding to provide health services,

Including health care professional in all aspects of planning of oil and gas development and emergency planning, and involve the public in every step that is taken.

Northern Health CEO Cathy Ulrich is calling for more research on the issues.

 “Industrial and economic development will continue to have a significant effect on the kinds of health issues we will need to deal with in the North.  It is important that we work with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that we are aware of what is being planned and that we take the health implications into consideration,” said Dr. David Bowering, Northern Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer.

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