Association Between Residential Proximity to Hydraulic Fracturing Sites and Adverse Birth Outcomes

Abstract

IMPORTANCEThe association between hydraulic fracturing and human development is not well understood. Several studies have identified significant associations between unconventional natural gas development and adverse birth outcomes; however, geology and legislation vary between regions.OBJECTIVE To examine the overall association between residential proximity to hydraulic fracturing sites and adverse birth outcomes, and investigate whether well density influenced this association. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSThis population-based retrospective cohort study of pregnant individuals in rural Alberta, Canada, took place from 2013 to 2018. Participants included reproductive-aged individuals (18-50 years) who had a pregnancy from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2018, and lived in rural areas. Individuals were excluded if they lived in an urban setting, were outside of the age range, or were missing data on infant sex, postal code, or area-level socioeconomic status.EXPOSURES Oil and gas wells that underwent hydraulic fracturing between 2013 to 2018 were identified through the Alberta Energy Regulator (n = 4871). Individuals were considered exposed if their postal delivery point was located within 10 km of 1 or more wells that was hydraulically fractured during 1 year preconception or during pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESOutcomes investigated were spontaneous and indicated preterm birth, small for gestational age, major congenital anomalies, and severe neonatal morbidity or mortality. RESULTSAfter exclusions, the sample included 26 193 individuals with 34 873 unique pregnancies, and a mean (SD) parental age of 28.2 (5.2) years. Small for gestational age and major congenital anomalies were significantly higher for individuals who lived within 10 km of at least 1 hydraulically fractured well after adjusting for parental age at delivery, multiple births, fetal sex, obstetric comorbidities, and area-level socioeconomic status. Risk of spontaneous preterm birth and small for gestational age were significantly increased in those with 100 or more wells within 10 km. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEResults suggest that individuals who were exposed to hydraulic fracturing within pregnancy may be at higher risk of several adverse birth outcomes. These results may be relevant to health policy regarding legislation of unconventional oil and gas development in Canada and internationally.

The human health effects of unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD): A scoping review of epidemiologic studies

“…1 ). Two studies (Cairncross et al, 2022 ; Caron-Beaudoin et al, 2021 ) were set in Canada (British Columbia, Alberta), and the remainder were from US states including California, Colorado, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas, with two spanning multiple states (Hu et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2022 ). One study was industry-funded (Fryzek et al, 2013 ), and the majority ( n = 38, 73%) were published after 2017 (Table 1 ).…”

“…Small for gestational age (SGA) (birthweight < 10th percentile for gestational age) was another frequently examined outcome. In a cohort study in rural Alberta, Canada, living within 10 km of one or more wells was associated with an increased risk ratio (RR) of SGA (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03–1.23) (Cairncross et al, 2022 ). To better account for well density, the study also examined the risk of living within 10 km of > 100 wells compared to 1–24 wells and reported a higher risk ratio of SGA (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10–2.48).…”

“…Several studies reported a significant association with UOGD and preterm birth (Cairncross et al, 2022 ; Caron-Beaudoin et al, 2021 ; Casey et al, 2016 ; Cushing et al, 2020 ; Erickson et al, 2022 ; Hill, 2018 ; Hill & Ma, 2022 ; Walker Whitworth et al, 2018 ; Whitworth et al, 2017 ) (Tables 1 and 2 ; Online Resource 3 ). The magnitude of adjusted ORs ranged between 1.11 and 2.00 with trend-tested (Cushing et al, 2020 ; Walker Whitworth et al, 2018 ) and descriptive evidence of positive linear trends across increasing exposure categories (Casey et al, 2016 ).…”

It’s electric! An environmental equity perspective on the lifecycle of our energy sources

“…Even without comprehensive cradle-to-grave health accounting, studies have consistently reported associations between residential proximity to more and larger natural gas wells and adverse health outcomes. 13,53 The most abundant and consistent evidence points to a relation between natural gas industry exposure and respiratory outcomes [17][18][19] and adverse birth outcomes, [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] as noted in oil and gas rulemaking. 54 In light of this evidence, regulatory actions to extend the allowable distance between extraction sites and sensitive receptors (e.g., homes, hospitals, schools, and ecologically sensitive areas) have been taken in certain states and municipalities such as Colorado; California successfully implemented a 3,200 feet (975 m) setback distance.…”

“…Multiple phases of natural gas extraction can affect the health of nearby populations, ranging from the construction of the well pad to production itself. 13 As documented in several reviews, [13][14][15][16] studies have linked exposure to natural gas extraction with asthma exacerbations, [17][18][19] adverse pregnancy outcomes, [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] cardiovascular disease, [36][37][38] adverse mental health outcomes, 39,40 and mortality. 41 Flaring-a form of waste disposal-from natural gas development sites also has measurable adverse health impacts.…”