Canadian doctors link fracked natural gas to cancer and birth defects
MDs also call attention to fracking-associated links to pollution and global warming
In a new report released January 29, a group of Canadian doctors has called for a national moratorium on all new fracking operations.
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) also urged an eventual phasing out of all existing such developments.
In the
report, titled
Fractures in the Bridge: Unconventional (Fracked) Natural Gas, Climate Change and Human Health, environmental and health hazards associated with fracking are examined.
Fracking releases trapped natural gas deep beneath the Earth's surface by blasting water, toxic chemicals, and sand at high pressure through drilled horizontal wells to fracture rock that is enclosing gas reserves.
Among the "frightening health impacts" associated with fracking that were mentioned in a January 29 news release issued the same time as the report are "adverse reproductive outcomes, low birth weight, birth defects, and leukemia in children exposed in utero". The release of toxic chemicals into water and air and a fracking-related increase in earthquakes also received mention.
More:
https://www.straight.com/news/13541...-fracked-natural-gas-cancer-and-birth-defects