Hydraulic Fracturing, Fossil Fuels, And Health Concerns

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) issued a position statement in December 2018 detailing the health, environmental, and social risks associated with hydraulic fracturing. The organization calls for a complete ban on new hydraulic fracturing projects and a halt to all fossil fuel exploration and extraction in Quebec.

• Hydraulic fracturing is linked to significant adverse health outcomes for populations living near drilling sites, including an increased rate of low-birth-weight babies, premature births, and higher risks of cardiac and neurological malformations in infants. There is also a demonstrated association with an increased incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in youth, as well as various respiratory, cardiological, neurological, dermatological, and otorhinolaryngological problems. The hospitalization rate for these issues correlates with the density of wells.
• The industry poses severe risks to workers and the environment. Workers are exposed to pollutants such as silica, hydrogen sulphide, benzene, and fine particles, and face a higher risk of accidents than in other industrial activities. Environmental impacts include groundwater contamination, air and water pollution, an increase in trucking-related accidents, and a significantly increased risk of earthquakes in regions with high drilling activity.
• Hydraulic fracturing causes psychological and social distress in communities, characterized by intense stress from continuous industrial activity, social divisions, and feelings of insecurity. These impacts are particularly harmful to groups with weakened social fabrics, such as First Nations, and include the destruction of significant community sites and pollution of agricultural land.
• The industry has a major negative impact on the global climate due to the emission of methane and ethane, either continuously or through major leaks. The document asserts that these methane emissions effectively cancel out the profits claimed by the industry.
• The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment recommends a total ban on all new hydraulic fracturing projects, while its Quebec Section specifically calls for the cessation of all fossil fuel extraction and exploration projects within Quebec.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2018). Hydraulic Fracturing, Fossil Fuels, And Health Concerns. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Hydraulic-Fracturing.pdf#new_tab

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Hydraulic Fracturing, Fossil Fuels, And Health Concerns. 2018. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Hydraulic-Fracturing.pdf#new_tab.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Hydraulic Fracturing, Fossil Fuels, And Health Concerns |date=December 2018 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Hydraulic-Fracturing.pdf#new_tab |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2018hydraulic, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Hydraulic Fracturing, Fossil Fuels, And Health Concerns}}, publisher = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2018}, month = dec, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Hydraulic-Fracturing.pdf#new_tab}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }