The Epigenome and Environmental Hazards:

What the Natural Gas Development (NGD) Industry, is ignoring!

University of Colorado, Boulder
Authors: George Hernandez, Charles Tyler and SJ Lonberg

Current research in the environmental sciences has firmly established humankind possesses, a
far more intimate relationship with its environment, than previously considered. Present,
industrial manufacturing activities, from natural gas development to genetically engineered
food are changing the course of human evolution. These industrial producers are either
unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the pervasive effects their activities are having on every
community in American.
Governmental agencies responsible for the protection of human health are currently hampered
by a biased scientific view concerning the sensitivity of the human mind and body. Our federal
regulatory agencies are using out dated toxicological assays, environmental policies are
politically engineered to protect industrial interest, rather than focusing on public health
concerns.
However, many non-scientist are unfamiliar with understanding just what is meant by the term
toxicology. So what is toxicology? It is the study of chemicals and their negative effects on living
things. Toxic chemicals are considered harmful depending on two basic criteria; how much is
necessary to cause harm and how easily it can enter the body. For a chemical to cause harm it
must in some way enter the body. Chemical toxicants are able to enter the human body
through basic four pathways, called the Routes of Exposure:1
1. Inhalation: contaminates, brought into the body through, the process of respiration
from ambient Indoor and outdoor environments.
2. Ingestion: toxic substances acquired from what one eats or drinks.
3. Absorption: chemical toxicants absorbed through the skin.
4. Injection: toxicants which were, in some way injected into the body.2
However, there may indeed, be a fifth pathway of human exposure capable of causing alterations in the
human epigenome. An effect we believe that has not been fully explored and essentially ignored by
research toxicologist. But, as of late, research findings have emerge showing, how a surplus of electrons
accumulating in the human body can produce negative effects associated with a persons homeostasis.
Such an overload of electrons in the human body, is regarded as a direct consequence of societys
modern lifestyle. Studies currently have confirmed, that physiological dysfunction and somatic stress
can be caused by the bodys inability to discharge excess electrons.

Toxicology, PowerPoint Presentation, Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program, publication was made
possible by grant numbers 5 U45 ES06182-13 AND 5 U45 ES09763-13 from the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH.
2
Ibid.
1

These somatic effects have also proven harmful and are known to contribute toward normal
psychological behavior. On the cellular level, these effects have caused numerous problems in the
bodys enzymatic pH factors and the disruption in molecular reaction rates.3
Progress has been slow, for science to acknowledge the pervasive influence of our Natural Electrostatic
(NES) and Natural Electro-Magnetic field (NEMF) environment, as a medium capable of inducing
epigenetic gene and phenotypic cell expression. The emerging science of epigenetics has begun to shed
new light on how methylation and histone epigenetic-genetic processes, contributes toward a species
adaptability and capability to genetically survive in a changing environment. Fortunately, the emerging
science of epigenetics has shed new light on how genomic methylation and histone processes contribute
toward a species environmental adaptability and genetic survival.

NES and NEMF processes, provides a necessary biological communication link, that operates in
tandem with physiological systems, as they process intrinsic environmental signals from
exogenous fields of the human body. This natural process is realized through the surface
potentials and intracellular ion gradients responsible for maintaining somatic homeostatic
processes of cellular functions. The ES and ambient electromagnetic fields, natural or unnatural
present in the environment, need not necessarily penetrate the human bodys DNA directly, as
if they were antennae, receiving environmental information.
The human organism is quite capable of responding to the conditions present within an
NES/NEMF environment. Our species epigenetically have evolved to respond to the ever
present ensemble of fields, as other life forms do. These NES/NEMF processes are akin to the
already known processes of the organic properties of a cell. All cellular organisms are able to
perceive, the point fields of molecules within an ion environment. Life received its initial jump
start, within an electrostatic milieu and experiments have demonstrated that amino acids; the
biological constituents of life, were created under laboratory conditions stimulating earths
early beginnings.
During more recent experimentation, in the 1980s, a number of laboratory test were
conducted using EMF fields, within the microwave RF range, had shown in plants and animal
test subjects, abnormal response levels far above their normal homeostatic conditions. Under
very high exposure levels of non-ionizing radiation, these laboratory test have revealed severe
bio-morphogenesis. Experimentally induced EMF laboratory protocols on animal subjects, are
considered among some research scientist as unreliable and are not representative of normal
working conditions in office buildings or residential communities. However, the position given
here concerning environmental ambient ES processes and the human bodys surface potentials
and concomitant intrinsic signaling properties, have nothing to do with such unacceptably,
induced laboratory results.

Review Article: Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earths Surface
Electrons. Gaetan Cheavlier, Stephen T Sinatra, James L Oschman, et al. Journal of Public Environmental and
Public Health, Volume 2012, Article ID 291541, 8 pages Dol:10.1155/2012/291541
3

The NES fields discussed here, are intrinsic and exogenous field processes providing, the
necessary environmental signals for cellular processes and epigenetic response. The genetic
system responsible for cell expression to a specific environmental contexts, is called the
epigenome.
An adaptive epigenetic-genomic processes are characteristic of all eukaryotic cellular
organisms. Alterations in the epigenome are absolutely necessary, if an organisms species is to
survive over generations of a changing environment. NES processes are essential for cellular
functions, the making of organelles and internal mRNA processes that contribute toward a cells
structural integrity and enzymatic processes.
Epigenome processes can indeed, respond to unnatural constituents existing within its
immediate environment. Such as under the persistent conditions of ES charged toxicants,
ambient in urban and rural environments. The notion of ES properties relating to biological
development, have been known for some time.4 Thus, the bioelectrical effects of autonomous
fields are responsible for the production of bio pattern formation and signal propagation.
Research conducted during the early 1980s lead to the formulation of theoretical processes in
the advancement and elucidation of cell expression involving electrical fields as necessary
mechanisms for developmental biology.5 The humanoid species, over hundreds of thousands
of years had evolved, long before homo-sapiens arrived on the evolutionary scene. Their
progeny inherited its biogenetic machinery capable of responding, epigenetically to
electrostatic charges existing within its environment.
Therefore, phenotypic adaptations, are accomplished through epigenetic processes allowing an
organism to adapt and function to its immediate environmental needs. These ever present
ensemble of fields existing in our environment are necessary to stimulate evolutionary
processes within cellular structures. On the cellular level, the electrostatic charges of molecules
and their chemical bonds are point fields within an ion environment. It represents one of the
many processes a cell is capable of as part of its normal functioning. We should remember, that
Life received its initial jump start, as an ES and EMF process.
Scientific experimentation, had confirmed some years ago, that amino acids can be created
under laboratory conditions. These experiments stimulated earths ongoing chemical processes
within a volatile primordial soup. Recently, the scientific community was surprised to learn that
a particular species of bacteria, had demonstrated the ability to exist under extreme
temperatures, while deriving food and maintaining life within the confines of oceanic volcanic
vents.

Developmental Biology, Peter J Ortovleva, Department of Chemistry Indiana University, Bloomington, In

47405, 1981 American chemical Society.
5
Biological Effects of Non-ionizing Radiation, Karl H. Illinger, Editor Tufts University, ACS Symposium Series 157,
American Chemical Society, Washing DC, D.C. 1981
4

The existence of a biological species capability of maintaining life under extreme environmental
conditions, poses a very basic question concerning our earthly bound ES influences. We feel
compelled to ask, are such processes still necessary? Its quite evident, that ES influences
continue as essential processes that maintain and sustain life on earth. Humankind and all of
earths known life forms, including bacteria, fungi, plants and animal species, depend on it.
Environmental scientist and citizen researchers, are becoming increasingly knowledgeable
about the risk associated with industrial toxicants and the possible harmful impact they will
have on all living things inhabiting our planet. However, let us give some credit to the human
bodys natural defenses, against the environmental intrusion of toxic elements altering cellular
expression? Indeed, its truethe human organism is capable of repairing its genetic code by
way of natural genomic processes. Genetic mismatches occurring in DNA and RNA
transcription, are capable of resetting and installing the proper coding sequence.
Unfortunately, this does not always happen! Incongruities in genetic coding may shut down,
the synthesis of certain enzymes controlling protein production. RNA or mRNA transcription
provides, the biological machinery necessary for protein synthesizes and processes associated
with coding sequences for cellular repair, but key locations on the DNA strand of a specific code
location can be absent or silenced. So cancer cells, for example continue in their abnormal
growth cycles. Granted, this description of on-going tumor generation, is an over simplification,
however, carcinogenic cellular expression resulting from epigenetic miscoding responses, is a
vastly complex process.
Environmental toxicants are capable of mimicking crucial enzymatic processes, while critically
changing the epigenome, in all species inhabiting our oceans, fresh water systems and
terrestrial environs. Most importantly, how biological epigenetic effects, are capable of transgenerational expression over long periods of human and animal existences. Essentially,
epigenetic processes are the result of functional non-genomic responses to environmental
stimuli and cause genes to behave differently. Industrial societies, worldwide continued to use
toxic chemicals in the production of all manner of goods, because they are efficient, cheap and
reduce cost. Lowering cost in any manufacturing process means more profits or dividends for
investors.
Modern day production, has clearly altered the availability of sustainable resources, while
creating unfavorable transformations in our environment, through inappropriate land use, the
destruction of wildlife habitats and notability has shaken, the very existence and sustainability
of humankind.
Our electrostatic environment serves as one of natures many avenues of providing adaptive
information for an organisms survival. The emerging science of epigenetics has shown that
environmental toxicants are capable of producing changes in cell expression, phenotypically in
humans, plant life and animal epigenome, without transforming the species DNA sequence.

The current biomarkers used by industrial chemist and environmental agencies, testing for
deleterious effects attributed to environmental toxicants are not proficient or scientifically
robust in determining their mutagenic effects relating to the transmutation of the phenotypic
attributes of the human epigenome.
However, not all epigenetic outcomes, are necessarily detrimental. An organisms epigenetic
response is indeed, a natural way for a species to adapt and survive within a changing
environment. But, when epigenetic processes goes awry, it has the potential to promote an
abnormal physiology either immediately or at later stages of development, for example leading
to the onset of adult disease.6
Concomitant levels of stress, attributed to physical conditions and psychological emotional
states, within a community or neighborhood at risk, attributed to ambient toxicants and
hazardous chemical exposure in the workplace, could compromise an individuals mental health
and potentially conveyed as maladaptive social behavior. Abnormal social behavior, displayed
as aggressive and violent actions are presently not considered, as a consequence of epigenetic,
latent gene expression.
Therefore, substantial questions are beginning to emerge regarding environmental pollutants,
which could potentially induce, adverse epigenetic factors within human populations. Again, it
should be noted, the consequence of epigenetic adaptations are expressed as observable
physical attributes, but can also affect intellectual and cognitive performance. Attributes of
mental performance are measureable and representative of human learning ability, as well as,
the adverse conditions which could hamper their expression and potential for development.
Furthermore, another epigenetic health scenario, is beginning to emerge out of current medical
research, demonstrating that epigenetic response mechanisms, have the capacity to promote
and maintain systemic diseases within susceptible populations.
Pandoras Box has opened as a consequence of societys industrial abuses! Does the corporate
industrial complex and its global-transnational influence on manufacturing and commerce,
have a moral and social responsibility to ameliorate, the adverse environmental conditions
which it has created?
Our industrial factories and the manufacturing processes associated with them, have
unfortunately created susceptible populations sensitive to hazardous chemicals, while
subsequently elevating the social and financial cost, associated with debilitating health
conditions and the medical attention they require. The growing health problems among
susceptible populations, is a global phenomenon and will have profound effects on the human
epigenome, in generations to come.
6

Epigenetic memory of environmental organisms: A reflection of lifetime stressor exposures. Leda

Mirbahai, James K. Chipman, Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis
October 2013.
5

Is there any justification or reasonable questions, one might ask concerning the possible
existence of any population of people, who have historically exhibited persistent etiological
conditions? Is there statistical evidence or circumstantial support, which could otherwise
substantiate, the epigenetic persistence of disease? Do we know of any group of people
exhibiting any characteristic systemic health conditions as factors of risk implicit of toxic
exposure and environmental chemical hazards?
We therefore submit the Prima Facie case, that Black Americans, have historically been
subjected to adverse social pressures, health and environmental conditions which have
compromised their genetic potential. The Black American community have over decades
publically chastised US government agencies, concerning the issue of environmental racism.
Black activists claim, that black families are predominantly exposed to environmental health
risk, where white main stream communities are not! What factual statements have they made
regarding their concerns?
People of color make up the majority of those living in neighborhoods located within 1.8
miles of the nation's hazardous waste facilities.
Neighborhoods with facilities clustered close together have higher percentages of people of
color than those with non-clustered facilities.
As a whole, racial disparities for people of color exist in 9 out of 10 EPA regions.
Existing laws and land-use controls have not been adequately applied in order to reduce health
risks for those living in or near toxic "hot spots."
Findings in UCC's 2007 report are consistent with an Associated Press study in Sept. 2005
showing African Americans are 79 percent more likely than whites to live in neighborhoods
where industrial pollution is suspected of causing the greatest health danger.
As in previous budgets, the Bush Administration FY08 budget recommended a 28.4 percent cut
to the budget of the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice. ($4.58 million has been
recommended, down from $6.34 million enacted in the FY06 budget and FY07 continuing
resolution).7
However, that was roughly ten years ago, have we seen any improvement, since 2005 showing
that blacks are presently, less likely to live near hazardous waste facilities, than their white
counterpart? Wellapparently not! According to a recent study, titled Whos in Danger? Race, Poverty, and Chemical Disasters. Presents disturbing statistical evidence that 134
million Americans live in danger zones around 3,344 facilities in some common industries
that store or use highly hazardous chemicals. Millions more people work, play and shop
and worship in these areas. New research presented in this report finds that residents of
7

Source: "Toxic Wastes and Race 1987-2007"

6

chemical facility vulnerability zones are disproportionately Black (Afro American) and
have lower housing values, incomes, and education levels than the national average. The
disproportionate or unequal danger is sharply magnified in the fence line areas nearest
the facilities.8
Key findings given in this report show the percentage of Black Americans, living in fence
line zones, is 75% greater than the U.S. as a whole. The poverty rate in the fence line zones
are 50%, higher than the U.S. as a whole 9 is indeed, unwelcomed news for black
Americans and other minority populations, who continually are subjected to living near
facilities that use hazardous materials or store toxic waste.
Are there statistical studies available which could support the claim that Black Americans
health as a group, is disproportionally at risk? Are epigenetic processes working against them,
living near environmental hazardous facilities contributing to the persistence of medical
conditions and adverse birth outcomes among their race? Could there be a possible
relationship showing that epigenetic transcription factors have contributed to higher infant
mortality and low birth weight rates among Blacks in America? Could a case be made showing
that a race subjected to starvation, economically deprivation and segregation from main stream
society, have left their mark epigenetically?
It has become a factual reality, that low-income people of color, have been traditionally forced
to live near hazardous waste, toxic gas emissions, and poisonous industrial processes. Could
such environmental living conditions have contributed to the persistence of debilitating health
and medical illnesses as an epigenetic response to incorrect environmental signals? Could
epigenetic biological assays, become the new standard that could determine, the specificity of
toxicants responsible for phenotypic anomalies? Could they finally end the controversy that
maternal mothers residing near National Gas Development (NGD) operations, are responsible
for low-birth-weight and adverse birth outcomes?
National and state health statistics, have clearly demonstrated, the persistence of Low-birth
weight and birth defects among susceptible populations living in neighborhoods and
communities, either residing under conditions of abject poverty or below poverty levels
attributed to their low social-economic status and race. It is not uncommon for the poorest of
families to live in close proximity to industrial site, oil fineries and manufacturing companies
using and storing toxic chemicals. Black Americans, have been historically forced to live in
neighborhoods and communities, where environmental conditions have been the worst over
many generations. Sadly this situation continues, in a nation considered as one of the
wealthiest countries in the world.

Whos in Danger: Race, Poverty and Chemical Disaster, A demographic analysis of chemical disaster
vulnerability zones, published by the Environmental Justice and Health Alliance for Chemical Policy
Reform, May 2014.
9

Ibid.

For example, Blacks in the United States have the highest infant mortality and low-birth-weight
(LBW) rates among any ethnic group, residing in American communities. Statistics studies show
that blacks compared with whites are more than double and substantially higher in comparison
with other ethnic minority groups.
In 1980, according to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Black Infant Mortality
was at 22.2 % and LBW at 12.7 %. In the census year 2000, Black Infant Mortality was reported
as 14.0 %, a substantial decrease in black infant deaths from 1980 statistics.
However, during this same twenty year period, from 1980 to 2000, NCHS reported, low-birthweight LBW rates for blacks at 13.0 %, this showed a slight, but definite increase.
In 2010, the U.S Infant Mortally Rate for Blacks averaged over a 7 year period, from 2004 to
2010, was still at 13.0 %. In Colorado, the black population over the same averaged period of
seven years, was above the national average at 14.46 %. Current national and state health
statistical reports, show a slight, but continuing rise in Infant Mortality and LBW among Blacks
in Colorado. This is ironic, since many regard the state of Colorados image as pristine
environmentally and citizenry as ecologically aware. For the state of Colorado, this presents, a
rather negative public image of a continuing serious health problem, as it ranks 37th out of 50
states for LBW nationally.
Could epidemiological studies, recently conducted in rural Colorado, substantially prove that
exposure to environmental hazards and industrial processes, strongly implicate the NGD
industry and their drilling as causative epigenetics factors related to low birth weight and
negative birth outcomes?10,11 The answer is not a certain one, such studies at best can only
substantiate, a possible strong inference, alleging that toxic chemical processes are responsible!
Even though the nature of epidemiological research can be scientifically rigorous and methods
of inductive logic as meticulous based on empirical findings; seem to fall victim to rival and
politically antagonistic claims of alleged flaws in their approach and analysis. The political
machinery of industrial power brokers, who control the legislative process nationally, the
judicial system of state governments, have been able to squelch local municipalities and the
citizens they represent, their legal right, through the democratic process of voting prohibiting,
NGD in or near their communities.
Is there any evidence for this type of corporate bullying and political maneuvering through a
states judicial system to change voter outcomes? Citizens in Boulder County Colorado, voted to
ban NGD from their communities. In spite of the wishes of local citizens, to ban NGD activity
passed by vote, the Governor of Colorado, recommended to industry CEOs, they should
collectively bring legal action against local governments in banning NGD exploration and drilling
in or near their communities.
10

Research | Childrens Health, Birth Outcomes and Maternal Residential Proximity to National Gas Development
in Rural Colorado, Lisa M. McKenzie, et alt, Volume 122 | Number 4 | April 2014: Environmental Health
Perspectives
11
"Human Health Risk Assessment of Air Emissions from Development of Unconventional Natural Gas Resources."
Accepted for publication on 2/11/2012 by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

The strategy to block locale referendum in banning NGD, was for the industry to claim, that
state law should ultimately prevail, not a communitys electorate to decide whats best for
themselves. It seems quite clear, that corporate America decides, what will happen legally at
the local level, if their industrial and profit making interest are placed in jeopardy. If this,
indeed is America and we honor and cherish the democratic process, the recent politico
circumvention of local referendum in Colorado, begs the questionwhos America is it?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for authorizing, the use of specific
chemical assays in determining environmental toxicity. Could the present EPA authorized test
for toxicity conclude, that toxic chemicals used in non-conventional drilling practices, are
responsible for infant mortality, negative birth outcomes and the persistence of disease is
certainly doubtful? Indeed, a sound and irrefutable connection must be established, without
any reservation, about its biochemical analysis.
We have already shown, the EPA has a substantial backlog of conventional assay protocols,
before it even becomes capable of addressing epigenetic concerns.12 However, are there any
existing scientific studies which have demonstrated adverse effects from benzene exposure
within any known environmental context of healthy subject indeed, there is! Cancer research
conducted by Valentina Bollati, Andrea Baraccareli, have established the first human study to
link altered DNA methylation, reproducing the aberrant epigenetic patterns found in malignant
cells, to low-level carcinogen exposure.13
Even though, there is an emerging body of scientific evidence for the greater need, to test for
epigenetic effects in combination with traditional genetic methods are not presently actively
pursued. Some may question whether, epigenetic based test and analytical laboratory tools are
cost prohibitive. We agree that developmental cost associated with establishing standardized
procedures and the implementation of new chemical assays are expense, time consuming and
their concomitant lab procedures are intensive. Regardless of the cost or time involved, they
should be implemented. The motivation for profit, should not take precedence over the needs
of public health and safety. However, its unlikely, the Natural Gas Development (NGD)
industry, would embrace the need or cost for new testing processes, let alone its broad of
directors approving such a change from present protocols. For the NGD industry to allow, the
epigenetic assessment of its chemical processes and products could possibly place, the entire
industry in jeopardy.

12

The EPA and Epigenetics: Baby Steps or Going Nowhere? July 29, 2014 Epigenetic in the Media, Policy EPA,
pollution, trans-generational inheritance.
13
Changes in DNA Methylation Patterns in Subjects Exposed to Low-Dose Benzene Valentina Bollati, Andrea
Baccarelli, Lifang Hou, et al. Cancer Research 2007; 67:876-880

Consequently, if any one test proved positive for epigenetic/genetic damage in humans, the
NGD industry would likely be subjected to numerous multimillion dollar civil law suits.
Particularly, in those regions of the United States, where research has already substantiated by
way of epidemiological studies, the negative birth outcomes attributed to the unconventional
drilling practices of NGD operations.
As environmentally concerned citizens, we must reassess our priorities in using fossil fuels, as
the main resource for energy production and in the manufacturing of its associated by
products. We must now turn our attention to proactive and meaningful solutions, if not
immediately, making a genuine shift toward sustainable industries. There must be effective
changes in our national energy policies and the development of innovative Green
technologies which could completely eliminate or profoundly reduce our exposure to toxicants
in the environment. These necessary and urgently needed changes must occur without the
interference of the oil production industry or the political machinery of special interest groups
which support them for financial gain.

10