A new scientific study by Lisa McKenzie and colleagues shows that people living closer to fracking operations report statistically higher numbers of health problems than those living further away. Specifically, residents of Broomfield Colorado who lived 1 mile away from a fracking site reported more upper respiratory, lower respiratory, gastrointestinal and acute symptoms (nosebleeds, nausea, shortness of breath) than residents living 2 miles away from fracking sites. Because this study used a random selection of residents, statistical analysis, and other rigorous methods, it was judged free of bias.
These findings lend credence to the hundreds of complaints that residents of Broomfield have filed over the years to O&G regulators. The study discussed recent air quality measurements of toxic emissions from fracking sites and their relation to reported symptoms and cumulative effects on residents.
This study also cited numerous other scientific studies by other researchers in other areas which showed similar results: “The body of epidemiological literature indicates that UOGD (fracking) affects the health of nearby residents. A current review found that, in 25 of 29 studies, there was at least one statistically significant association between UOGD exposure and adverse health outcomes (hospitalizations, adverse birth outcomes, cancer and asthma exacerbations) [1]. More recently published studies report associations between intensity of oil and gas activity and indicators and exacerbations of cardiovascular disease [2,3,4], and further evidence of associations with adverse birth outcomes [5,6,7]. Additionally, residents living within 1 km of an UOGD site self-report more skin conditions and upper respiratory symptoms than those living farther away [8].” McKenzie et al. writes.
