Relationships between indicators of cardiovascular disease and intensity of oil and natural gas activity in Northeastern Colorado.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Oil and natural gas (O&G) extraction emits pollutants that are associated with cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in the United States. OBJECTIVE:We evaluated associations between intensity of O&G activity and cardiovascular disease indicators. METHODS:Between October 2015 and May 2016, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 97 adults living in Northeastern Colorado. For each participant, we collected 1-3 measurements of augmentation index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-?1?, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?). We modelled the intensity of O&G activity by weighting O&G well counts within 16?km of a participant's home by intensity and distance. We used linear models accounting for repeated measures within person to evaluate associations. RESULTS:Adjusted mean augmentation index differed by 6.0% (95% CI: 0.6, 11.4%) and 5.1% (95%CI: -0.1, 10.4%) between high and medium, respectively, and low exposure tertiles. The greatest mean IL-1?, and ?-TNF plasma concentrations were observed for participants in the highest exposure tertile. IL-6 and IL-8 results were consistent with a null result. For participants not taking prescription medications, the adjusted mean SBP differed by 6 and 1?mm Hg (95% CIs: 0.1, 13?mm Hg and -6, 8?mm Hg) between the high and medium, respectively, and low exposure tertiles. DBP results were similar. For participants taking prescription medications, SBP and DBP results were consistent with a null result. CONCLUSIONS:Despite limitations, our results support associations between O&G activity and augmentation index, SBP, DBP, IL-1?, and TNF-?. Our study was not able to elucidate possible mechanisms or environmental stressors, such as air pollution and noise.

SUBMITTER: McKenzie LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6360130 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature