New Study Links Proximity to Gas Wells to Cancer and Other Negative Health Impacts

Does living near unconventional gas developments increase the risk for certain health concerns? The University of Pittsburgh study aimed to answer this question through exploring asthma, cancer, and birth outcomes of residents in eight Southwestern PA counties. The study found that a child living within a mile of a gas well was 5-7 times more likely to develop lymphoma – a rare cancer – than a child living at least 5 miles from a gas well. Children diagnosed with any of the four studied cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumor, bone tumors) were four times more likely to live within half a mile of a gas well.

In addition to cancer, asthma exacerbations and poor birth outcomes, such as low birthweight and being small for gestational age, were more common among those living within 10 miles of gas wells that were in their production phase. Those with asthma had 4-5 times the risk of an attack when they lived near a well in their production phase. When symptoms got worse, cases that required medication primarily affected children aged 5-13 and those that led to emergency department visits and hospitalizations primarily affected adults aged 19-45.

Well proximity was also linked to reduced birth weight and size. Mothers living within 10 miles of a well in their production phase were more likely to have a newborn with a lowered birth weight and size for gestational age. Inhaling air pollution, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), from a variety of sources that include well operation has been linked to premature births.

Research is actively showing us that we need protective buffers and setbacks from oil and gas infrastructure. A setback is the minimum required between a specific use (shale gas well pad) and an existing structure, boundary, natural resource, or any other area that needs protection in the interest of health, safety, and the general welfare of the public

Right now, oil and gas infrastructure is allowed within in 500 feet of homes, schools, and buildings, but the Council and it’s partners recommend thatit be moved back to at least 3,000 feet for unconventional wells, 9,000 feet for compressor stations, gas-fired power plants, ethane cracker plants, and at least 16,000 feet for shale gas processing facilities. 

To protect public health, it is imperative that we demand that Governor Shapiro, the Pennsylvania legislator, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection enact protective buffers and setbacks. We ask the governor, “What’s it going to take to back the frack up?