Children Living Near Oil and Gas Wells Face Higher Risk of Rare Leukemia

Two recent studies have found that children living near oil and gas wells are significantly more likely to develop acute lymphocytic leukemia, a rare but increasingly common childhood cancer. While overall U.S. cancer rates have declined, cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia continue to rise, prompting concern among scientists and public health advocates. Researchers in Colorado and Pennsylvania therefore used detailed birth and cancer registries, combined with geographic mapping, to assess how close children lived to oil and gas development sites during sensitive periods like pregnancy and early childhood.

In Colorado, children aged 2-9 who lived near the highest-density and most active oil and gas wells within eight miles of their homes were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. The greatest risk occurred among children with wells within just three miles of their residence. Similarly, the Pennsylvania study found that children born within 1.2 miles of such wells faced a two to three times higher risk of developing acute lymphocytic leukemia by age seven. Exposure during pregnancy appeared to heighten this risk. These findings align with earlier research and point to toxic emissions from oil and gas extraction as likely contributors.

To read about the scientific evidence of adverse health effects from so-called ‘fracking’ that governments aren’t telling you about, see this article on our website.