A Narrative Review of Spatial-Temporal Data Sources for Estimating Population-Level Exposures to Oil and Gas Development in the United States

Authors

Erin J. Campbell, Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Martha R. Koenig, Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Fintan A. Mooney, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
Cassandra J. Clark, Division of Pediatric Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
David J. González, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Nicole C. Deziel, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
Joan A. Casey, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA.
Jonathan J. Buonocore, Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Mary D. Willis, Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. mwillis1@bu.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-22-2025

Journal

Current environmental health reports

Volume

12

Issue

1

DOI

10.1007/s40572-025-00485-8

Keywords

Energy Epidemiology; Environmental Health; Natural Gas Development; Oil Development; Spatial Epidemiology

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Oil and gas development is a rapidly expanding industry that may impact population health. However, much of the research to date is conducted state-by-state, partially due to exposure data limitations. New developments related to national-scale oil and gas development data sources offer the opportunity to extend studies beyond single-state analyses. We review the current data options, highlighting their advantages, disadvantages, and ideal use-cases. RECENT FINDINGS: Five data sources suitable for national-scale epidemiologic analyses of oil and gas development were identified. Private sector data offer detailed production information but have limited accessibility. Nongovernmental sources are often specialized, focusing on specific aspects like chemical or methane exposure. Government agency data, while typically less detailed, provide useful linkage tools for cross-industry analysis. This review clarifies the strengths and limitations of these sources, facilitating national-level exposure assessment and broadening the geographic reach of oil and gas development-related epidemiology in the U.S.

APA Citation

Campbell, Erin J.; Koenig, Martha R.; Mooney, Fintan A.; Clark, Cassandra J.; González, David J.; Deziel, Nicole C.; Casey, Joan A.; Buonocore, Jonathan J.; and Willis, Mary D., "A Narrative Review of Spatial-Temporal Data Sources for Estimating Population-Level Exposures to Oil and Gas Development in the United States" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 7012.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/7012

Department

Environmental and Occupational Health