No Common Cause Found for Birth Anomalies Near Colorado Oil, Gas Activity, State Says

摘要

A Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment investigation into 22 reported birth anomalies found no common underlying cause, the state said. One of the factors considered was proximity to oil and gas wells. "Our investigation looked at each reported case and concluded they are not linked to any common risk factors," Larry Wolk, executive director and chief medical officer of the department, said in a May 2 statement. The study "does not prove or disprove" a link between children's birth defects and any regional oil and gas activity, including the use of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, Wolk said.