PITTSBURGH — The Environmental Health Project released its newest health analysis tool, “Compounds of Concern,” during a virtual event last week.

The launch event covered details about the new tool, which provides users with easy-to-understand details on exposure symptoms and health impacts of chemical compounds associated with industrial operations, including oil and gas facilities. EHP staff demonstrated how to access and use the tool, which centers on an easily searched interactive database of compounds.

“EHP designed the Compounds of Concern tool because residents living near industry, such as shale gas wells or power plants, were having health issues, and they didn’t know why,” said Nathan Deron, EHP’s program manager. “These frontline residents needed to better understand what compounds industries were emitting and how those compounds might play a part in their health.”

The Compounds of Concern tool identifies compounds (including a wide range of toxic chemicals), where they might originate from, and how they may impact systems and organs of the body (respiratory system, circulatory system, etc.).

“This interactive tool is easy to use and connects the dots between sources of pollution, the compounds released, and how they affect the body,” said Sanjana Parmar, EHP’s environmental data analyst. “Anyone can find the information they want with a few simple clicks. If they know the compounds they may have been exposed to, residents have a better chance of protecting their health and the health of their families.”

“Compounds of Concern can be a key tool for residents who experience health complications,” said Jackson Zeiler, EHP’s public health analyst. “For example, if you’re having trouble breathing and want to know what compound may be causing that symptom, you can find possible answers with this tool. Or, if you hear about the release of a chemical compound from a nearby facility in the news, you can find out more about what that compound is, how it’s used, and its related health effects.”

Compounds of Concern is the second new health and environment tool EHP has released this year.

In April, EHP launched AirView Public, a free tool designed to help communities understand their air quality so that they can better protect residents from pollution harms.

This online tool provides access to air quality readings alongside weather and pollution dispersion information. With AirView Public’s pollution mapping feature, users can view the path that air took to arrive at monitoring locations when those monitors recorded high pollution levels.

The Environmental Health Project is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public health organization that defends public health in the face of shale gas development.

EHP provides frontline communities with timely monitoring, interpretation, and guidance while engaging diverse stakeholders: health professionals, researchers, community organizers, policy makers, and others.