Place-based perceptions of the impacts of fracking along the Marcellus Shale. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sangaramoorthy, Thurka; Jamison, Amelia M.; Boyle, Meleah D.; Payne-Sturges, Devon C.; Sapkota, Amir; Milton, Donald K.; Wilson, Sacoby M.
• Is Part Of: Social science & medicine. Volume 151(2016)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: US -- Fracking -- Energy development -- Sense of place -- Social and psychological stress -- Health impacts -- Qualitative research; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Psychologie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-9536

Abstract

Abstract: We examined community perspectives and experiences with fracking in Doddridge County, West Virginia, USA as part of a larger assessment to investigate the potential health impacts associated with fracking in neighboring Maryland, USA. In November 2013, we held two focus groups with community residents who had been impacted by fracking operations and conducted field observations in the impacted areas. Employing grounded theory, we conducted qualitative analysis to explore emergent themes related to direct and indirect health impacts of fracking. Three components of experience were identified, including (a) meanings of place and identity, (b) transforming relationships, and (c) perceptions of environmental and health impacts. Our findings indicate that fracking contributes to a disruption in residents' sense of place and social identity, generating widespread social stress. Although community residents acknowledged the potential for economic growth brought about by fracking, rapid transformations in meanings of place and social identity influenced residents' perceptions of environmental and health impacts. Our findings suggest that in order to have a more complete understanding of the health impacts of fracking, future work must consider the complex linkages between social disruption, environmental impacts, and health outcomes through critical engagements with communities undergoing energy development. Highlights: Environmental hazards from fracking activities may harm human health. Communities welcome economic benefits of fracking but are concerned about environmental health risks. Fracking disrupts residents' sense of place and identity, creating social stress. Residents perceive that social stress contributes to the health impacts of fracking. More research on relations between environmental and social stress is needed.