PMID:
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2019 Oct 11. Epub 2019 Oct 11. PMID: 31605359
Abstract Title:
Fracking and infant mortality: fresh evidence from Oklahoma.
Abstract:
This paper explores the impact of shale gas and oil fracking wells on infants' health at birth across Oklahoma counties. The empirical analysis makes use of the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test, as well as the (long-run) Pooled Mean Group method. The results clearly document that there is a unidirectional relationship between fracking activities and three alternative indexes of infants' health at birth, as well as a significant impact of fracking on infants' health indicators. In addition, the results illustrate the substantial role of fracking through the drinking water quality channel.