In the United States, hydraulic fracking is a common process used by natural gas wells where millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are pumped underground to break apart the rock and release the gas. However, in a study helmed by the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, hydraulic fracking is linked to the increase in hospitalization rates in three counties in northeastern Pennsylvania.

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In a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers analyzed data collected by the Pennsylvania Healthcare Cost Containment Council on the number of hospitalizations between 2007 and 2011 in Bradford, Susquehanna and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania. As per UPI, the data showed an increase in medical conditions such as heart and neurological illnesses.

According to a team of researchers from Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health and the Penn's Perelman School of Medicine and the Center for Environmental Health, the increase in fracking along Pennsylvania's Marcellus shale formation has had an effect on the health of nearby communities.

In two counties with wells, hospital data showed increase in prevalence of cardiologic and neurologic inpatient rates. An increase in hospitalizations for skin conditions, cancer and urologic problems were also noted.  

"At this point, we suspect that residents are exposed to many toxicants, noise and social stressors due to hydraulic fracturing near their homes and this may add to the increased number of hospitalizations," University of Pennsylvania Medicine professor and study researcher  Dr. Reynold Panettieri Jr. stated, Vocal Republic quoted. "Our findings provide important clues to design epidemiological studies to associate specific toxicant exposures with health end-points."

Meanwhile, researchers revealed the study does not prove hydraulic drilling has caused an increase in medical conditions. However, it suggests the increase in hospitalizations over a short time dovetails the dramatic rise of economic benefits of hydraulic fracking in the area, Ledger Gazette noted.

The highly controversial technique of fracking, which releases oil or gas from shale by blasting a mixture of water, chemicals and sand into rock, has triggered a surge in U.S. power manufacturing in recent times. It has also prompted a debate over whether or not the method causes air and water air pollution. While it is yet to be employed in the United Kingdom on a commercial scale, nine out of 10 natural gas wells in the U.S. are using this process.

TagsHydraulic Fracking, Pennsylvania, Hospitalizations, Study