It’s Official, Fracking is Linked to Increased Infant Health Risks

Concerns about the health effects of fracking are far from new, the rise in fracking has caused grave concern from not only environmentalists, but also health officials. A new study released by Science Advances, confirmed what we’ve all been fearing - babies who live near fracking sites typically have lower birth weights and other health issues.

It’s the first peer-reviewed study of it’s kind, co-authored by economists from Princeton University, the University of Chicago and UCLA. The study was based on 1.1 million births between 2004 and 2013 in Pennsylvania, where natural gas fracking has wreaked havoc on communities across the state.

The study found that babies born within a half-a-mile, from fracking sites are 25 percent more likely have low birth weight. Infants born at 5.5 pounds or below are at higher risk of infant mortality, ADHD, and asthma.

Janet Currie, who led the study, believes if babies experiencing negative effects, the elderly and other vulnerable people are also at risk. “We really should move beyond the discussion of whether there is a health effect or not to figuring out how we can help people who live close to fracking.”

Read the full story over at Science Mag.