New research from Prof. Michael Greenstone and co-authors finds infants born within about 2 miles of a fracking site are more likely to be classified as low birth weight, but there is no evidence of compromised infant health at further distances. December 13, 2017 EPIC News A new study, released today in the journal Science Advances, finds infants born to mothers living up to about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from a hydraulic fracturing site suffer from poorer health. The largest impacts were to babies born within about a half mile (1 kilometer) of a site, with those babies being 25 percent more likely to be born at a low birth weight—leaving them with a greater risk of infant mortality, ADHD, asthma, lower test scores, lower schooling attainment, and lower earnings. “Broadly, hydraulic fracturing has reduced energy prices and caused natural gas to greatly decrease the use of coal for power generation in the United States, leading to reductions in air pollution that have very likely improved health throughout the country,” says study co-author Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Professor in Economics, director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), and professor at Harris Public Policy. “But these national benefits depend on local communities allowing hydraulic fracturing and governments around the world have taken very different approaches with some banning it and others embracing. This study provides the first large-scale peer-reviewed evidence of a link between hydraulic fracturing activities and our health, specifically the health of babies.” For complete coverage, read the full story on EPIC News Faculty Spotlight Michael Greenstone Professor, Director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), Director of the Becker Friedman Institute (BFI) Greenstone is the Milton Friedman Professor of Economics, Director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), and Director of the Becker Friedman Institute (BFI) Upcoming Events More events Harris Campus Visit Wed., July 10, 2024 | 10:00 AM Keller Center 1307 E 60th St Chicago, IL 60637 United States Harris Evening Master's Program Information Session Wed., July 10, 2024 | 12:00 PM Harris Summer Mixer in Washington, DC: Cultivating Policy Connections Wed., July 10, 2024 | 5:00 PM Office of Federal Relations Rooftop 1730 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004 United States