Abstract | OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether childhood cancer incidence is associated with counties with hydraulic fracturing (HF). METHODS: We compared cancer incidence in children in Pennsylvania counties before and after HF drilling began, using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The total number of cancers observed was close to expected both before drilling began (SIR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.99) and after drilling (SIR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.07) for counties with oil and natural gas wells. Analyses for childhood leukemia were also unremarkable (SIR for leukemia before drilling = 0.97 [95% CI, 0.88 to 1.06]; SIR for leukemia after drilling = 1.01 [95% CI, 0.92 to 1.11]). A slightly elevated SIR was found for central nervous system tumors after drilling (SIR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.25). This was because of a slight excess in those counties with the fewest number of wells. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers comfort concerning health effects of HF on childhood cancers.
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Authors | Jon Fryzek, Susan Pastula, Xiaohui Jiang, David H Garabrant |
Journal | Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
(J Occup Environ Med)
Vol. 55
Issue 7
Pg. 796-801
(Jul 2013)
ISSN: 1536-5948 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 23836020
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Central Nervous System Neoplasms
(epidemiology, etiology)
- Child
- Environmental Exposure
(adverse effects)
- Extraction and Processing Industry
- Female
- Humans
- Incidence
- Leukemia
(epidemiology, etiology)
- Male
- Natural Gas
- Oil and Gas Fields
- Pennsylvania
(epidemiology)
- Residence Characteristics
- SEER Program
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