A new Cornell University study has concluded that hydraulic fracturing of natural-gas wells could be causing illness, death and reproductive issues in livestock, pets and wildlife, reports Krishna Ramanujan of the land-grant university's news service, Chronicle Online. Study authors interviewed animal owners in Colorado, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, and found 24 cases of affected animals. The study is awaiting publication in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy.
Some cases include: 17 cows died in Louisiana within an hour of direct exposure to fracking fluids; 21 of 60 cows on another farm died after exposure to a creek containing fracking fluids and 16 couldn't have calves the next spring; 70 of 140 cows on another farm died after exposure; and there were several cases of stillborn and stunted calves.
The authors admitted making a clear link between illness and fracking is difficult because of incomplete testing, limited knowledge about what chemicals are used, and sealed evidence in settled lawsuits against companies. They said they don't have evidence about the prevalence of problems, but do see a pattern of how things could happen. (Read more)
Some cases include: 17 cows died in Louisiana within an hour of direct exposure to fracking fluids; 21 of 60 cows on another farm died after exposure to a creek containing fracking fluids and 16 couldn't have calves the next spring; 70 of 140 cows on another farm died after exposure; and there were several cases of stillborn and stunted calves.
The authors admitted making a clear link between illness and fracking is difficult because of incomplete testing, limited knowledge about what chemicals are used, and sealed evidence in settled lawsuits against companies. They said they don't have evidence about the prevalence of problems, but do see a pattern of how things could happen. (Read more)
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