Air Quality: Western Canada Study
Animal and Human Health Effect Associated with Exposture to Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Field Facilities
News Release - November 19, 2001
Western Interprovincial Scientific Studies Association Releases Research Designs of Western Canada Study on Animal and Human Health
The Western Interprovincial Scientific Studies Association (WISSA) today released study designs for the Western Canada Study on Animal and Human Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Field Facilities.
"The purpose of the Study is to determine if exposure from oil and gas emissions impacts animal and human health in western Canada", stated Dr. Tee Guidotti, Co-chair of the Science Advisory Panel. "Previous research has not been conclusive and this study is different as it is more comprehensive both geographically and in terms of the number of animal herds that are being studied. This is an exciting project that applies world-class intellectual resources to a challenging issue considered important by many western Canadians."
The research protocol, including the peer review process, is designed to ensure scientifically sound findings, which would assist in the future development and implementation of recommendations regarding future practices.
The Western Canada Study has the following components: Beef Cattle Productivity, Assessment of Immune Function in Beef Cattle, Assessment of Wildlife Reproduction and Immune Function, Exposure Monitoring, and a future component on human health, still under development.
The objectives of the Beef Cattle Productivity component are to determine whether beef cattle exposed to emissions from oil and natural gas field facilities are at greater risk of productivity failure than those that are less exposed and secondly, to collect information necessary to describe the health, reproductive performance, and factors affecting these outcomes for cow-calf herds in western Canada.
The Immune Function in Beef Cattle component is designed to determine whether exposure to emissions from oil and gas field facilities has an adverse effect on the immune function in beef cattle.
A wild bird species will be studied in the component, Assessment of Wildlife Reproduction and Immune Function, to determine whether exposure to emissions from oil and gas field facilities has an adverse effect on reproductive success and the immune function in the representative wild bird species.
The Exposure Monitoring component will provide the Study with air quality data for study sites in western Canada to provide a base of exposure information for air quality parameters including sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and hydrogen sulphide. The air quality data will be used to test for the existence of relationships between air quality exposures measured at the study sites and documented observations from other components of the Study.
The human health component is being developed and funding is being sought. Research designs will be released after development, review and approval by the Science Advisory Panel and when funding is in place.
If findings from the Study identify relationships with animal or human exposure to emissions from oil and natural gas field facilities, then further research will be considered assuming additional funding would become available.
Data collection for the Study will occur throughout 2001 and 2002, with data analysis and peer review in 2003. A final report is anticipated in 2004.
About WISSA
The Western Interprovincial Scientific Studies Association (WISSA) is a not-for-profit company, federally incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act as of February 2, 2001. The objects of the Association include planning, facilitating, overseeing and co-coordinating various scientific studies and research examining potential environmental impacts of release of substances into the environment ("emissions") on the environment and animal and human health.
Management of WISSA is provided by a Board of Directors composed of officials from the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
A Science Advisory Panel, composed of ten internationally renowned scientists with collective expertise in environmental and reproductive epidemiology, animal and human health and toxicology, has reviewed the designs and endorses the scientific integrity of the research. The Science Advisory Panel reviews and evaluates all proposals or reports relating to the Study in terms of objectives, design, methodology and other matter that may affect the scientific merit or quality of the Study.
Western Canadian provincial governments have contributed financially and in-kind for these studies with solicitation continuing of other parties, such as industry. Costs for research up to and including March 2002 are anticipated at $11.0 million. Cost of the Study to 2004 is estimated at $19 million.
University and private sector researchers are conducting the research under supervision of the WISSA Board and scientific review by the WISSA Science Advisory Panel.
Copies of the study designs are available for the Western Canada Study on Animal and Human Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Field Facilities can be obtained from the following address or by following the pdf. link below.
WISSA Media Contacts:
Sheridan McVean or Jill Thomas
Hill and Knowlton
403-299-9380
Email: sheridan.mcvean@hillandknowlton.ca
Email: jill.thomas@hillandknowlton.ca
Study Designs - Western Canada Study 
