We should all be pleased that Gov. Tom Wolf has allocated public money, namely $3 million, to study gas industry effects and cancer, especially child cancers in Southwestern Pennsylvania. As a chemist, I can only imagine how complex it will be to study multiple possible effects of a controversial heavy industry like shale gas development.
For such a study, it is critical to include an advisory/review group composed of citizens in the affected counties as well as scientists. Citizen participation is critical to ensure that those in the community feel their voices are heard and can increase the likelihood of open doors when the needed samples are collected. This advisory board should be included in the review of projects to be undertaken and ways the public can stay informed of work in progress.
Members of this board may also be effective educators in explaining to the public the rationale behind the decisions made. This is about our tax dollars and the health of our kids. Everyone deserves to know how public money is spent and how to protect our kids from pollution.
Lou Pochet
Hempfield