New Study Shows Potential Link Between Natural Gas Wells and Health Problems
HARRISBURG, Pa. – A new study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh has revealed a potential link between natural gas wells and certain health problems, including asthma and lymphoma in children. The findings, released Tuesday evening, add to a growing body of evidence suggesting a connection between the gas industry and these ailments.
In the study, researchers discovered significant associations between gas industry activity and asthma as well as lymphoma in children. However, the study did not determine whether drilling caused these health problems, as it was not designed to establish causation. Instead, researchers analyzed health records to identify possible associations based on proximity to natural gas wells.
The reports, released during a public meeting held by the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and the state Department of Health, prompted concerned community activists and parents to call for more measures to protect public health as gas drilling continues to expand.
Raina Rippel, former director of the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project, expressed her concern, stating that the findings are just the “tip of the toxic iceberg” and there could be even more cases of cancer waiting to be discovered.
In regards to the cancer study, researchers found that children living within one mile of a well had a significantly higher chance of developing lymphoma compared to those living farther away. The study estimated that there were 60 to 84 lymphoma cases per million children near wells, compared to 12 per million among children farther away. Additionally, the study found that people with asthma who lived near wells were more likely to have severe reactions during gas extraction.
The four-year, $2.5 million research project was commissioned by former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf in response to concerns from families of pediatric cancer patients living in heavily drilled areas. The study focused on areas surrounding the nation’s most prolific natural gas reservoir in western Pennsylvania.
Despite the associations found with asthma and lymphoma, the study did not find any links between gas drilling and childhood leukemia, brain cancer, or bone cancer.
The study also explored the effects of gas wells on preterm births and birth weights and discovered mixed results. Researchers noted a possible reduction in birth weights among families living closer to gas wells, but the average weight reduction was less than an ounce.
Edward Ketyer, a retired pediatrician who participated in the study, described the asthma findings as a “bombshell.” He emphasized that previous research has consistently shown an increased risk of illness the closer individuals live to fracking activity.
The Pennsylvania-funded study aligns with similar research conducted in other states, which has also found higher rates of cancer, asthma, and other health problems among individuals living near drilling fields.
The gas industry has maintained that fracking is safe, and groups reviewing the study have stated that public health is their top priority. Pennsylvania’s new Governor, Josh Shapiro, has expressed his administration’s commitment to improving public health in response to the study’s findings.
The advent of high-volume hydraulic fracturing, combined with deep drilling, has transformed the United States into a major oil and gas producer. However, it has also raised concerns about pollution and health problems in affected communities. Establishing a definitive cause for these health problems can be challenging due to the complexity of analyzing exposure to pollutants and ruling out other contributing factors.
Going forward, further research and regulatory measures will be necessary to better understand and address the potential health risks associated with natural gas drilling.