Hydraulic Fracturing, Fossil Fuels, And Health Concerns

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment states that hydraulic fracturing is linked to severe health issues, including birth defects, childhood leukemia, and respiratory problems, while also causing groundwater contamination and increased seismic activity. The organization highlights that methane emissions from the industry negate its benefits and exacerbate global warming. Consequently, it recommends a complete ban on new hydraulic fracturing projects and a halt to all fossil fuel exploration and extraction in Quebec.

• Hydraulic fracturing is associated with significant adverse birth outcomes for mothers living near drilling sites, including increased rates of low birth weight, premature births, and cardiac and neurological malformations in infants.
• Exposure to hydraulic fracturing is linked to an increased incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in youth, as well as various respiratory, cardiological, neurological, dermatological, and otorhinolaryngological problems.
• The industry causes substantial environmental and safety hazards, including groundwater contamination, a higher frequency of trucking accidents, and an increased risk of earthquakes, as confirmed by geologists in Canada and the United States.
• Workers in the hydraulic fracturing industry face high exposure to pollutants such as benzene, silica, hydrogen sulphide, and fine particles, and experience a higher risk of accidents compared to other industrial activities.
• Methane and ethane emissions from hydraulic fracturing are described as cancelling out the industry's profits and contributing negatively to global warming.

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} }