A continually growing number of studies, including in Canada, have associated fracking and other shale gas extraction processes with serious health threats to almost every system in our bodies, and include cancer.  Pregnant women and infants seem especially vulnerable to premature birth, low birth weights, and congenital heart and brain defects.  Risks for childhood leukemia, asthma and other respiratory diseases are increased.  Many of the chemicals used in fracking are ‘endocrine disruptors.’ These are substances, which in extremely small quantities, can disrupt our hormone systems, and cause developmental and reproductive problems lasting a lifetime. Reviewers of all the medical research have stated that they can see no way for the industry to operate safely with respect to public health.

Last Modified: May 26, 2023