A recent study from researchers at University College London and the Stockholm Environment Institute indicates that air pollution from oil and gas production results in over 90,000 premature deaths and affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States annually. The study highlights that communities of color bear a disproportionate share of these health impacts.
Specifically, the research attributes more than 10,000 pre-term births each year to fine particulate matter associated with oil and gas operations. Additionally, it links 216,000 annual childhood asthma cases to nitrogen dioxide emissions from this sector, along with 1,610 cases of cancer each year tied to hazardous air pollutants. States such as California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey report the highest number of impacts, while per capita incidence is notably high in New Jersey, Washington DC, New York, California, and Maryland.
This analysis, which is the first to assess the health impacts from all stages of oil and gas supply, emphasizes the unequal burden faced by various populations. Indigenous and Hispanic groups are primarily impacted by pollution from exploration and extraction, whereas Black and Asian populations are more affected by emissions from processing and distribution.
The methodology employed included a comprehensive inventory of the oil and gas lifecycle, utilizing federal data and computer modeling to track pollution sources and their associated health impacts. The study’s findings draw attention to the historical policies, like redlining, that have contributed to these disparities, particularly in areas such as southern Louisiana and eastern Texas.
The research, based on data from 2017, points to an increase in US oil and gas production by 40% and consumption by 8% from that year to 2023, implying that current estimates could be conservative. This study serves as a significant contribution to understanding the health risks posed by the oil and gas industry and aims to inform community leaders and advocacy groups advocating for cleaner air and health improvements.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/22/air-pollution-oil-gas-health-study