Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking

Heavy toll on families

This was a small pilot study, so we aren't able to draw any sweeping scientific conclusions from our findings. Instead, we hope our findings will provide a snapshot of environmental exposures in southwestern Pennsylvania families and help pave the way for additional research.

We found chemicals like benzene and butylcyclohexane in drinking water and air samples, and breakdown products for chemicals like ethylbenzene, styrene, and toluene in the bodies of children living near fracking wells at levels up to 91 times as high as the average American and substantially higher than levels seen in the average adult cigarette smoker.

The chemicals we found in the air and water—and inside of people's bodies—are linked to a wide range of harmful health impacts, from skin and respiratory irritation to organ damage and increased cancer risk.

Far-reaching impacts

In the U.S., fracking has become a flashpoint in national debates about climate change and America's energy future. In Pennsylvania, study after study after study has found that state lawmakers who support pro-fracking legislation have received vast amounts of money from the industry, while polls show that a majority of Pennsylvania residents oppose fracking. Meanwhile, financial analysts fret about the industry's massive debt overhang and uncertain future, especially post-COVID-19.

While financial analysts, policymakers, and massive corporations squabble over the finer points of the fracking debate, families living amidst the wells day in and day out live in constant fear about what the industry might cost them—if they had another child, would they need to worry about birth defects? Are these exposures increasing their kids' cancer risk? Would it be safer to move to a place far away from all of this, even if it would also mean being far from their extended families, friends, and communities? And even if they could move, how far would they have to go to feel safe?

EHN's analysis also found unexpected exposures even in families that live further away from fracking wells in Westmoreland County, proving that in southwestern Pennsylvania, we really are all sharing the same airshed—and that exposure impacts from the oil and gas industry's emissions likely extend far beyond just the people living right next door to well pads.

EHN is an award-winning nonpartisan organization dedicated to driving science into public discussion and policy. Read the 4-part series below, and listen to an interview with reporter Kristina Marusic about the science and investigation.

Follow the fallout from this investigation on Twitter at the hashtag: #FracturedUSA

Part 1: Harmful chemicals and unknowns haunt Pennsylvanians surrounded by fracking

Our urine tests of five families in and near fracking country found biomarkers for hazardous fracking chemicals in children at levels far higher than those seen in the average American.

Part 2: The stress of being surrounded

The pervasiveness of the industry in rural America leads to mental health issues including anxiety and depression among residents, and opens hard-to-heal rifts in communities.

Part 3: Distrustful of frackers, abandoned by regulators

Distrustful of doctors, fracking companies and state agencies, residents are getting few answers to their pleas for help.

Part 4: Buffered from fracking but still battling pollution

Activists dedicated to keeping fracking wells out of their small township have been successful so far, but oil and gas pollution is encroaching as a dense network of oil and gas pipelines and infrastructure grows more pervasive.

LEARN: More about how we conducted our study.

A rundown of our data and methods.

LISTEN: Kristina Marusic discusses the "Fractured" investigation

The story behind "Fractured," an investigation of fracking pollution in western Pennsylvania.

Continuing coverage 

Fractured: Readers respond on fracking reporting

Our 'Fractured' investigation found disturbing evidence of fracking pollution leaching into our bodies. Readers responded.

Pennsylvania lawmakers urge Gov. Wolf to protect residents following EHN fracking investigation

The letter, signed by 35 state representatives and senators, points to EHN testing that found harmful chemical exposures in Pennsylvania families.

The political, media, and community response to our Fractured investigation

From a media blitz to calls for statewide drilling bans, here's a look at the fallout and impacts so far from EHN's investigation of western Pennsylvania fracking impacts.

What do politicians have to say about 'Fractured?'

These are the responses we've gotten so far from politicians about our study that found Pennsylvania families living near fracking wells are being exposed to high levels of harmful industrial chemicals.

Following up with families from ‘Fractured'

Frequently Asked Questions about Fractured: What to do, who to call, how to push for change.

Have you been impacted by fracking? We want to hear from you. Fill out our fracking impact survey and we'll be in touch.

Banner photo: Two of the children involved in EHN's study participate in a 2019 youth climate change protest in downtown Pittsburgh. (Credit: Connor Mulvaney for EHN)