The Stream, July 17: Study Links Fracking to Higher Rates of Hospitalization

The Global Rundown

New research done in Pennsylvania shows increased rates of hospitalization for those living near fracking. Actor Tom Selleck will pay to settle a complaint that he had water illegally delivered to his home in California. The United States Interior Department has proposed a new set of restrictions on mining near surface waters.

“At this point, we suspect that residents are exposed to many toxicants, noise and social stressors due to hydraulic fracturing near their homes and this may add to the increased number of hospitalizations.” — Reynold Panettieri, one author of a study published this week linking living near hydraulic fracturing to rates of hospitalization. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

$US 21,685.55 — What actor Tom Selleck will pay in a settlement to the Calleguas Municipal Water District in Ventura County, California, after the district filed a complaint stating that Selleck had Calleguas water illegally delivered to his ranch, which is outside district boundaries. The amount covers the cost of the district’s investigation, and the terms of the settlement also state that the water deliveries, made from a fire hydrant in Thousand Oaks, will stop. Los Angeles Times

Science, Studies, And Reports

Living near hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’, activity is related to higher hospitalization rates for heart conditions, neurological illnesses, and cancer, according to a study published by researchers at Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. The study focused on hospitalizations in areas of Pennsylvania from 2007-2011. Reuters

On The Radar

The U.S. Interior Department’s surface mining office released proposed new restrictions for coal mining near surface waters today. The regulation would target mining practices that pollute streams and drinking water sources, harm forests and increase flood risk. The proposal is the Obama administration’s response to the practice of mountaintop coal mining. Republican lawmakers have already been openly critical of the bill. Bloomberg News