Proximity to Oil and Gas Wells Linked to Increased Childhood Leukemia Risk

Recent studies indicate that children residing near oil and gas extraction sites may experience a heightened risk of developing acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a rare but serious form of cancer. Despite a general decline in cancer rates in the U.S. since 2002, the incidence of childhood ALL has been on the rise, highlighting an urgent need for preventative measures.

Research conducted in Colorado and Pennsylvania, two states where oil and gas development has surged in residential areas in the past two decades, has revealed concerning correlations between proximity to drilling sites and leukemia diagnoses among children. The studies utilized case-control methodologies, comparing children diagnosed with leukemia to those without cancer, and assessed exposure to oil and gas wells during critical developmental periods.

In Colorado, researchers analyzed data from 451 children diagnosed with leukemia born between 1992 and 2019, alongside 2,706 healthy controls. The findings indicated that children aged 2 to 9 living within eight miles of high-density oil and gas wells were at least twice as likely to receive a leukemia diagnosis. Notably, the risk escalated for children living within three miles of these wells.

Similarly, a Pennsylvania study examined 405 leukemia cases from 2009 to 2017, finding that children born within 1.2 miles of oil and gas wells were two to three times more likely to develop ALL by ages 2 to 7 compared to those who lived further away. The research underscored an increased risk for children whose mothers were exposed to these environments during pregnancy.

These findings are consistent with earlier research published in 2017, which discovered that children diagnosed with ALL were four times more likely to reside in areas with dense oil and gas operations than those diagnosed with other cancers.

The extraction process of oil and gas is known to release harmful substances, including benzene, into the environment. The U.S. is the largest global producer of oil and gas, with nearly one million active wells, many located in residential zones, thereby increasing exposure risk for millions of children.

Current regulatory frameworks governing oil and gas operations in the U.S. vary by state and often establish minimum distances, known as setback distances, between wells and residential areas. While these measures aim to mitigate public health risks, they often fall short of adequately protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children.

Setback policies can effectively reduce noise and odor nuisances; however, they do not comprehensively address air quality or greenhouse gas emissions. Existing setback distances range from 200 to 3,200 feet, with studies suggesting even the most extensive setbacks may not sufficiently safeguard children from leukemia risks.

The research advocates for a more robust policy framework that incorporates larger setback distances and mandates emission monitoring and control for both new and existing wells. Further studies are necessary in other oil-producing states, such as Texas and California, to explore the relationship between residential oil and gas development and pediatric cancers.

While the exact causative factors for the rise in childhood leukemia remain to be fully elucidated, the cumulative evidence presents a compelling case for implementing stronger protective measures for children living near oil and gas operations.