Using evidence-based science to protect offspring
When you think about how to make sure the most vulnerable fetuses, from a diverse group of people, including those who are transgender, can best have a safe journey through this world, you must rely on evidence-based/science-based data. And we're glad there's no ban that would block that or any other medically sound work.
However, new research on the risks of living near oil and gas fracking sites makes it clear that male or female, if you're pregnant or considering kids, you should impose a ban on living near those areas in order to reduce toxic exposure to yourself and to your future children.
Researchers analyzed 1.1 million Pennsylvania birth records from 2004 to 2013 to identify differences between infants born before and after fracking started, and to moms living near fracking sites and those living further away.
If a mom-to-be lived within 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) of a fracking site, newborns had a greater risk of low birth weight. The researchers state that, "low birth weight is a risk factor for ... infant mortality, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, lower test scores, lower schooling attainment, lower earnings and higher rates of social welfare program participation." A distance of 1 kilometer had the greatest negative impact. About 29,000 U.S. babies are born within 1 km of a fracking site annually.
So, if you're near a fracking zone and considering pregnancy, avoid drinking water from the area, use indoor air filters and try to keep more than 3 km away from the fracking field.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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