A recent study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh has shed light on the potential health risks associated with living in close proximity to natural gas wells in western Pennsylvania.
The research, which was funded by taxpayers, revealed that children residing near these wells were more likely to develop a relatively uncommon form of cancer.
Furthermore, individuals of all ages who lived nearby experienced an increased likelihood of severe asthma reactions.
These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence that suggests a connection between the gas industry and certain health issues.
Specifically, the study identified significant associations between gas industry activity and asthma as well as lymphoma in children, a type of cancer that is rarely diagnosed in this age group.
The researchers encountered a significant obstacle in their quest to establish a direct correlation between drilling activities and health issues.
The studies conducted by the researchers were not specifically designed to ascertain causation, thereby preventing them from definitively attributing the health problems to the drilling operations.
Instead, the researchers adopted an alternative approach by meticulously examining health records in an attempt to identify potential associations between the proximity of individuals to natural gas wells and the occurrence of health problems.
Concurrently, industry groups raised concerns regarding the studies’ assumptions and highlighted the limitations of the data utilized, thus challenging the validity of the researchers’ findings.
On a Tuesday evening, a public meeting was held at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and the state Department of Health, located on the campus of Pennsylvania Western University, to discuss the recently released reports.
The purpose of the meeting was to delve into the findings and address concerns regarding public health in light of the expanding gas drilling industry.
During the meeting, community activists and distressed parents passionately appealed to department officials and Pitt researchers, urging them to take more proactive measures to safeguard public health.
Raina Rippel, the former director of the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project, expressed her belief that the findings were just the beginning of a much larger issue.
She likened them to the “tip of the toxic iceberg,” emphasizing that our understanding of the situation is still in its infancy.
Rippel cautioned that there is a substantial amount of cancer-related risks that have yet to be fully comprehended, waiting ominously in the background.
In a groundbreaking cancer study, researchers have made a significant discovery regarding the correlation between proximity to wells and the development of lymphoma in children.
The study revealed that children residing within a one-mile radius of a well faced a staggering five to seven times higher risk of developing lymphoma compared to their counterparts living five miles or more away from a well.
These findings translate to a concerning statistic of 60 to 84 lymphoma cases per million children residing near wells, as opposed to a significantly lower rate of 12 cases per million among children living farther away.
Furthermore, the research also shed light on the implications of living near wells on individuals with asthma.
It was concluded that individuals with asthma who resided in close proximity to wells were more prone to experiencing severe reactions during gas extraction activities, as opposed to those who did not live near wells.
However, the study did not establish a consistent association between severe reactions and activities such as building, drilling, and fracking the well.
This comprehensive study, which spanned four years and received a substantial $2.5 million in funding, is now reaching its conclusion.
Its initiation was prompted by the persistent efforts of families with pediatric cancer patients, residing amidst the nation’s most abundant natural gas reservoir in western Pennsylvania, who urged the state’s former governor, Democrat Tom Wolf, to commission the study in 2019.
The impetus behind this research stemmed from the alarming number of diagnoses of an exceedingly rare form of bone cancer, Ewing sarcoma, among numerous children and young adults in an extensively drilled area outside Pittsburgh.
It was the families of these affected individuals who played a pivotal role in persuading Governor Wolf to undertake this crucial investigation.
However, it is worth noting that the study did not establish a link between gas drilling and the development of childhood leukemia, brain cancer, or bone cancer.
While the findings regarding lymphoma and asthma are undoubtedly significant, this particular study did not uncover any consistent associations between gas drilling and these specific types of cancer.
In conclusion, this comprehensive cancer study has provided valuable insights into the correlation between proximity to wells and the development of lymphoma in children, as well as the impact on individuals with asthma.
The research has also underscored the importance of addressing the concerns raised by affected families and investing in scientific investigations to better understand the potential health implications of gas drilling.
While some questions remain unanswered, this study serves as a critical step in advancing our knowledge and informing future policies to safeguard public health in areas affected by natural gas extraction.
In a recent study conducted by researchers, it was found that the relationship between preterm births and birth weights among families living in close proximity to gas wells yielded mixed conclusions, aligning with similar studies conducted in the past.
The study hinted at the possibility that gas production may lead to a decrease in birth weights, with an average reduction of less than an ounce.
Edward Ketyer, a retired pediatrician and member of the study’s advisory board, described the findings on asthma as a “bombshell.” He further expressed his expectation for the studies to support previous research, which indicated that the closer one lives to fracking activity, the higher the risk of various illnesses.
Ketyer, who currently serves as the president of Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, questioned why anyone would be surprised by these results.
Over the past decade, numerous states have enacted stronger regulations concerning fracking and waste disposal.
However, researchers have consistently highlighted the inadequacy of these regulations in providing a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s emission of toxic substances into the air, injection into the ground, and production of waste.
This Pennsylvania-funded study follows a series of other studies that have identified elevated rates of cancer, asthma, low birth weights, and other health issues among individuals residing near drilling fields across the country.
The gas industry has consistently maintained that fracking, a process used to extract natural gas from deep underground, is safe.
In light of recent studies, groups responsible for reviewing these findings have emphasized that protecting public health is their utmost priority.
These studies have come to the forefront under the administration of new Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who took office in January, succeeding his predecessor, Governor Wolf.
The current administration has acknowledged the importance of addressing public health concerns raised by these studies and is actively working on multiple fronts to improve the overall well-being of the population.
Over the past two decades, the combination of high-volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling has propelled the United States to become a global powerhouse in the oil and gas industry.
However, this rapid expansion has also led to a surge in complaints related to water and air pollution, as well as various diseases and ailments, particularly in areas close to exurbs and suburbs in states such as Texas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.
Determining the exact cause of these health problems is a complex task that requires thorough investigation and analysis.
Determining the precise extent of individuals’ exposure to pollutants in the air or water can pose significant challenges, and in some cases, may even be deemed unfeasible.
This is primarily due to the complex nature of environmental factors, as well as the presence of various contributing elements that cannot be easily ruled out.
Consequently, scientists and researchers working in the field of environmental health are compelled to diligently collect and analyze copious amounts of data in order to ascertain the level of risk involved and draw accurate conclusions.
By meticulously gathering extensive information, these experts strive to gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential hazards posed by pollutants and their impact on human health and the environment at large.