Pollution from fracking in Pennsylvania may harm the health of developing babies who live nearby.
Credit: REUTERS/Les Stone
The extraordinary growth in fracking—the hydraulic fracturing of deeply buried shale rock to extract natural gas—has transformed the United States over the past 15 years, boosting energy stocks, cutting pollution from conventional coal-power plants, and creating new jobs. But this boom may have come at a cost. According to the first large-scale study of babies born before and after natural gas extraction began in Pennsylvania, those living near fracking sites had significantly lower birth weights—and worse health—than other babies.
Concerns about the health effects of fracking aren’t new. Absent solid evidence, some states, including Maryland and New York, have even banned the practice altogether. Now, a growing number of studies suggests that living near oil and gas developments is associated with a wide range of negative outcomes, from higher rates of asthma and migraines to more hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and cancer. Earlier studies have also found associations with low–birth weight babies, but those were plagued […]
Super sad. We are dealing with a huge influx of fracking wells in Denver – Boulder area following the expiration of a 5 year moratorium. It weighs heavy on the heart knowing that these wells are profiting at the expense of families health..especially the infants who are defenseless. It is long overdue to ditch petroleum based fuels.