Despite global efforts to transition away from fossil fuels, U.S. oil and gas production is nearing record levels. Air pollution from the oil and gas sector here has substantial adverse impacts on air quality, human health, and health costs. The pollutants nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone from U.S. oil and gas production contributed to 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and 2,200 new cases of childhood asthma across the nation in 2016. Factoring in related respiratory and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and other health challenges, oil and gas production was responsible for $77 billion in annual health costs.
www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2023/air-pollution-from-oil-and-gas-production-contributes-to-thousands-of-early-deaths-childhood-asthma-cases-nationwide/