Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumFracking Link to Birth Defects Probed in Early Research
The first research into the effects of oil and gas development on babies born near wells has found potential health risks. Government officials, industry advocates and the researchers themselves say more studies are needed before drawing conclusions.
While the findings are still preliminary, any documented hazards threaten to cast a shadow over hydraulic fracturing, or fracking -- the process of blasting chemicals, sand and water deep underground to extract fuel from rock thats helped push the U.S. closer to energy self-sufficiency than at any time since 1985.
Its not really well understood how the environment interacts with genetics to produce these birth defects, said Lisa McKenzie of the Colorado School of Public Health, who conducted research published in January in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. We really need to do more study to see what the association is, if any, with natural gas development.
McKenzie and her colleagues discovered more congenital heart defects in babies born to mothers living near gas wells in Colorado. Two studies, which have not been peer reviewed, showed infants born near fracking sites in Pennsylvania were more likely to have low birth weight, a sign of developmental problems. In Utah, local authorities are investigating a spate of stillbirths after tests found dangerous levels of air pollution from the oil and gas industry.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-08-26/fracking-link-to-birth-defects-probed-in-early-research
Two studies, which have not been peer reviewed, showed infants born near fracking sites in Pennsylvania were more likely to have low birth weight, a sign of developmental problems. Photographer: Ty Wright/Bloomberg
madamesilverspurs
(15,784 posts)They'll ignore it, but they'll get a copy.
With over 20K wells in the county (Weld County, Colorado), now including a growing number within Greeley's city limits, our 'powers that be' are utterly in the thrall of the industry. Our concerns are routinely met with rolling eyes and sometimes sneering indifference. At one council meeting, each councilor was presented with 700 pages of reports. The mayor's response, as he moved his stack of papers aside, was "It's irrelevant." Sadly, his comment has become the standard expected response, yet to be otherwise.
Rhiannon12866
(203,006 posts)Fracking scares the hell out of me, too, think it's crazy that the powers that be still choose to ignore growing evidence that it's harmful - causes earthquakes, for example - the same way that the RW insists on ignoring the in-your-face evidence that climate change is real and happening now. I found this article alarming, so decided it was definitely one I should share.
BTW, I have family in Englewood and Castle Rock, originally from Denver.
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)...cause any health issues, let alone birth defects.
marym625
(17,997 posts)It is amazing to me that in 2014 we don't have the sense to not do what we know will harm. Greed is a horrible thing