UPDATE ON HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

Sheila Bushkin-Bedient, MD, MPH, Geoffrey E. Moore, MD, and The Preventive Medicine and Family Health Committee of the Medical Society of the State of New York

CONCLUSIONS: Our nation needs a domestic clean fuel to meet the energy demands of our growing population and reduce our dependence upon foreign energy supplies. If it can be safely extracted without harming the environment, people or animals, the natural gas in the Marcellus play can help create jobs and be part of the energy solution.

Prior experience in other states indicates a high likelihood of increased air pollution and contamination of waters from hydrofracking techniques used today. Furthermore, losses in livestock and local agriculture have adversely affected the availability and affordability of local foods in these states, not to mention the farmers. Hydrofracking leads to loss of rural land and spaces for outdoor recreation.

These factors are likely to contribute to an increase in the incidence of acute and chronic diseases, disabilities and increased health care expenditures. For these reasons, MSSNY is in support of a moratorium on hydrofracking in New York until these aforementioned concerns have been clarified in a Health Impact Assessment, and that any uncovered risks have been adequately addressed to protect the health and well-being of New Yorkers.