Oil and Gas Air Pollution Linked to 90,000 Annual Premature Deaths in US: Study
A new study finds air pollution from oil and gas causes over 90,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S., disproportionately affecting communities of color.
A new study by University College London and the Stockholm Environment Institute shows that air pollution from oil and gas production causes over 90,000 premature deaths in the United States each year, along with hundreds of thousands of related illnesses. The research also connects fossil fuel emissions to more than 10,000 preterm births, 216,000 cases of childhood asthma, and 1,610 lifetime cancer diagnoses annually. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by these impacts.
The health risks are linked to pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and ozone, which are especially concentrated in areas with intensive oil and gas activity. These pollutants contribute to respiratory, cardiovascular, and developmental problems, with children and vulnerable populations bearing the greatest burden.
States with the highest impacts include California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, though even areas with less oil and gas production, such as Illinois, experience significant health effects due to the widespread dispersal of pollutants. The study highlights that both the production and consumption phases of oil and gas contribute to these risks, from extraction and transportation to refining and combustion.
Researchers emphasize that Indigenous and Latino communities face the greatest exposure during extraction, transportation, and storage, while Black and Asian communities are more affected by emissions from refining, distribution, and everyday consumption. Karn Vohra, the study’s lead author, said, “We have long known that these communities experience high levels of pollution and related health issues; now we can quantify the exact impact.” Tim Donaghy, director of Greenpeace USA’s environmental group, added that the study is significant because it accounts for health effects across the entire oil and gas lifecycle.
The findings underscore the urgent need for stricter regulations on fossil fuel emissions. Experts recommend policies that reduce pollution and protect vulnerable communities while ensuring that health and environmental impacts are considered throughout the lifecycle of oil and gas production.
As the U.S. government under previous administrations has attempted to expand fossil fuel production while limiting renewable energy, the study highlights the human cost of these policies. Researchers warn that without immediate action, tens of thousands of preventable deaths and illnesses will continue to occur annually.
The study serves as a stark reminder of the long-reaching consequences of fossil fuel pollution. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources, enforcing stronger regulations, and prioritizing public health could significantly reduce these preventable health crises, particularly in communities that have been disproportionately affected for decades.