Unconventional natural gas development and pediatric asthma hospitalizations in Pennsylvania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pediatric asthma is a common chronic condition that can be exacerbated by environmental exposures, and unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) has been associated with decreased community air quality. This study aims to quantify the association between UNGD and pediatric asthma hospitalizations.

Methods

We compare pediatric asthma hospitalizations among zip codes with and without exposure to UNGD between 2003 and 2014 using a difference-in-differences panel analysis. Our UNGD exposure metrics include cumulative and contemporaneous drilling as well as reported air emissions by site.

Results

We observed consistently elevated odds of hospitalizations in the top tertile of pediatric patients exposed to unconventional drilling compared with their unexposed

SUBMITTER: Willis MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6110967 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature