Study links increased asthma attacks with heavy natural gas production
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
According to StateImpact Pennsylvania, research conducted at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health indicates that proximity to heavy natural gas drilling may increase the likelihood of asthma attacks in individuals who already suffer from asthma.
The study consisted of reviewing more than 35,000 health records of patients who had asthma from the Geisinger Health System, plus well production data from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Geisinger Health System encompasses 40 Pennsylvania counties.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal, JAMA Internal Medicine.
Read more: StateImpact Pennsylvania > Health study shows connection between asthma attacks and gas drilling
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.