The Alarming Link Between Oil and Gas Development and Childhood Leukemia in Colorado

A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention delivers a chilling message: Colorado children diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) were more than twice as likely to live near dense oil and gas development than healthy children. For a state known for its scenic landscapes and strong energy industry, this research raises deep concerns about the health trade-offs tied to fossil fuel extraction—especially for our most vulnerable populations.

Researchers analyzed health records for over 3,000 children born in Colorado between 1992 and 2019. The data revealed that kids diagnosed with leukemia between the ages of 2 and 9 were significantly more likely to live within 3 to 8 miles of intense oil and gas activity. This includes both conventional wells and fracking operations—sites known to emit harmful chemicals like benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), both of which have been linked to cancer.

“Children living near the densest areas of oil and gas development had the highest risk increase,” said Lisa McKenzie, the study’s lead author (Marusic 1).

Why Density Matters

This study is the first to measure how the density and production volume of wells impact childhood cancer risk. It’s not just whether one or two wells are nearby, but how many are clustered together—and how much they're producing—that determines the danger. As McKenzie explains, a single well might not drastically change a child’s health outlook. But a network of heavily active wells close to a home appears to significantly raise the odds of leukemia.

The researchers carefully controlled for other cancer risk factors such as air pollution from traffic, UV exposure, birth weight, and even the mother's age. Their conclusion: proximity and density of oil and gas development are key environmental factors driving increased risk.

Echoes from Other States

This isn’t the first study to sound the alarm. Similar findings have emerged from Pennsylvania, another state with intensive fracking operations. Experts now say that the consistency across multiple high-quality studies should serve as a wake-up call.

“There’s enough evidence for policymakers to develop health-protective policies for oil and gas development,” said Cassandra Clark, a pediatric epidemiology researcher at the University of Minnesota (Marusic 1).

In response to growing health concerns, Colorado expanded its setback laws in 2020, requiring a 2,000-foot distance between new wells and homes, schools, or hospitals—one of the strictest in the country. But in states like Pennsylvania, current setback laws remain as short as 500 feet, and can often be waived. These limited protections leave communities—especially children—at risk.

McKenzie notes that even Colorado’s strong regulations don’t go far enough, as they only consider individual wells. “We need to think about cumulative exposure,” she said. It’s not just the distance to a single well, but the total burden of pollution in a neighborhood that matters.

The Hidden Cost of Energy

This study adds yet another layer to our understanding of how fossil fuel infrastructure affects public health—not just climate, not just wildlife, but actual children. When we talk about energy policy, we often weigh the economic benefits and job creation. But this research forces us to consider the true cost of our energy systems, especially when they’re built into residential communities.

In environmental science, there's a concept known as the “precautionary principle”—the idea that if an action or policy has the potential to harm the public or environment, we should proceed with caution, even if all the evidence isn’t fully settled. At this point, the evidence is stacking up. And the stakes—children’s lives—are far too high to ignore.

Inspired in part by reporting from Environmental Health News, including work by Kristina Marusic.

Original Article: "Colorado kids with leukemia are more than twice as likely to live near dense oil and gas development," published on June 10, 2025.