Babies born close to fracking sites are 25% more likely to weigh under a healthy amount, according to researchers analysing data from one million Pennsylvanian births today. The exact cause is still unknown, though environmental pollution may be to blame. Children living up to 1.8 miles from fracking sites are said to be in poorer health, with babies born within 0.6 miles the most affected. The results could affect the shale fracking boom. Additional research into fracking effects has already been published illustrating babies' likelihood of developing heart defects, the increased pollution of groundwater and lowered air quality.
Babies born close to fracking sites are 25% more likely to weigh under a healthy amount, according to researchers analysing data from one million Pennsylvanian births between 2004 to 2013. The exact cause is still unknown, though environmental pollution may be to blame. Children living up to 1.8 miles from fracking sites are said to be in poorer health, with babies born within 0.6 miles the most affected. The results could affect the shale fracking boom. Additional research into fracking effects has already been published illustrating babies' likelihood of developing heart defects, the increased pollution of groundwater and lowered air quality.