The CEET announced the publication of its collaborative research study on the link between hydraulic fracturing and hospitalization rates in the Marcellus Shale region, in PLOS ONE on Wednesday July 15th. Over the past ten years in the United States, hydraulic fracturing has experienced a meteoric increase. Due to substantial increases in well drilling the potential for air and water pollution posing a health threat has been a concern for nearby residents. To address this issue, researchers from two Environmental Health Science Core Centers of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences — the CEET at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine and the Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, examined the link between drilling well density and healthcare use by zip code from 2007 to 2011 in three northeastern Pennsylvania counties. They found that hospitalization rates for cardiology and neurologic conditions increased in counties where hydraulic fracturing was occurring. To read this paper on the PLOS ONE webpage, please visit the link below:
Unconventional Gas and Oil Drilling is Associated with Increased Hospital Utilization Rates
The following are links to articles profiling this recent publication:
The Morning Call_Study shows more hospital stays in three fracking counties
Energy Wire_Limited study ties fracking to hospitalizations
Fortune_Fracking is associated with higher rates of hospitalization, study says
Pittsburgh Power Source_Study finds those living near shale wells more likely to be hospitalized
State Impact_Study shows increased hospitalizations in Pennsylvania shale gas region
HealthDay_Hospitalization rates jump near ‘fracking’ sites
Newsweek_Living near fracking wells linked to increased hospitalization rates
Summit County Citizen’s Voice_Study tracks spike in fracking zone health problems
CBS Philly_New study finds link between fracking and poor health in PA
Philadelphia Inquirer_Pa. studies link fracking with health problems
Fracking in Pennsylvania linked with increased hospitalizations
