Studies of the Scottish oil shale industry

This study aimed to identify any adverse impact of the shale industry on mortality in communities in Scotland where oil shale was extracted and processed until 1962, when the industry closed. Civil Parishes in the study area were classified as Shale', Coalmining' or Rural' according to levels of shale and coal industry activity during or shortly before those periods over which mortality was monitored. Information about the population at risk in these areas, and mortality, was obtained primarily from official sources, supplemented by ad hoc investigations of specific problems. Mortality analyses focused on malignant causes 1953--81 and non-malignant causes 1963--81; mortality from all causes, 1911--31, was also examined. 27 refs., 18 figs., 54 tabs.