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

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.