The production of oil from shale presents a number of potential risks to human health and the environment. These risks are associated with impacts on air and water quality, solid waste disposal, habitat disturnace, and other effects of shale oil production. Research in the US, Estonia, and Scotland indicates that sulfur oxides are perhaps the most important air pollutants and will require very high removal efficiencies. High concentrations of organics and salts in the oil shale wastewaters present a considerable challenge in treating these waters.