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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Oil shale health and environmental risk analysis

Conference · · Oil Shale Symp. Proc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5285945

The potential human health and environmental risks of hypothetical one-million-barrels-per-day oil shale industry have been analyzed to serve as an aid in the formulation and management of a program of environmental research. The largest uncertainties for expected fatalities are in the public sector from air pollutants although the occupational sector is estimated to have 60% more expected fatalities than the public sector. Occupational safety and illness have been analyzed for the oil shale fuel cycle from extraction to delivery of products for end use. Pneumoconiosis from the dust environment is the worker disease resulting in the greatest number of fatalities, followed by chronic bronchitis, internal cancer, and skin cancers, respectively. Research recommendations are presented for reducing the uncertainties in the risks analyzed and to fill data gaps to estimate other risks.

Research Organization:
IWG Corp., San Diego, CA
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-82ER60087
OSTI ID:
5285945
Report Number(s):
CONF-830434-
Journal Information:
Oil Shale Symp. Proc.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Shale Symp. Proc.; (United States); ISSN OSSPD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English