Pennsylvania Study Reveals Links Between Natural Gas Industry and Health Issues
A recent study conducted in Pennsylvania has shed light on the potential links between the natural gas industry and health problems such as pediatric cancer, asthma, and poor birth outcomes. The four-year, $2.5 million project was commissioned by former Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf in 2019 after pressure from the families of pediatric cancer patients residing in the state’s heavily drilled areas.
The study, funded by the state, involved researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and aimed to address the regulatory shortcomings in assessing the impact of the natural gas industry on public health. Previous major studies have already highlighted higher rates of cancer, asthma, and other ailments among individuals living near drilling sites across the country.
The findings of this study will be presented during a public meeting hosted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and the state Department of Health. Experts involved in the research anticipate that the results will align with previous studies, which have shown that proximity to fracking activity increases the risk of various illnesses.
The natural gas industry has consistently maintained that fracking is safe. Industry groups in Pennsylvania supported the government’s initiative to investigate the reported cases of pediatric cancer. However, the study’s results are emerging under the administration of new Governor Josh Shapiro, who has yet to publish or release the researchers’ reports since taking office earlier this year.
The advent of high-volume hydraulic fracturing, combined with horizontal drilling, has transformed the United States into a dominant player in the oil and gas market. However, the expansion of this industry has also brought about concerns related to water and air pollution, as well as an increase in diseases and health issues, particularly in areas close to drilling sites.
The Pennsylvania-funded study is part of a larger body of research, including a study from Harvard University that found higher death rates among Medicare beneficiaries living downwind of oil and gas wells, and another study from Yale University that revealed increased odds of acute lymphocytic leukemia among children living near oil or gas well sites in Pennsylvania.
Determining the exact cause of health problems related to the natural gas industry can be challenging. Researchers often struggle to establish the level of exposure individuals have had to pollutants in air or water, and other contributing factors cannot be ruled out. Despite these challenges, experts in environmental health aim to gather enough data to assess risks and draw meaningful conclusions.
While the findings of this Pennsylvania study are forthcoming, it is important to approach the issue from a balanced standpoint, considering different perspectives. The outcome of this research has the potential to shape future regulations and policies surrounding the natural gas industry and public health.
As the public meeting to discuss the study’s findings unfolds, it is expected that experts, policymakers, and the general public will engage in crucial conversations regarding the impact of the natural gas industry on the health of communities. The results could have significant implications for the industry’s practices and the well-being of individuals living near drilling sites across Pennsylvania and beyond.
