Air pollution from oil and gas sources is responsible for approximately 91,000 premature deaths each year in the United States, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances. Conducted by researchers from institutions including University College London and the Stockholm Environment Institute, the study highlights the severe health impacts of fossil fuel production, particularly as the U.S. government intensifies its fossil fuel output amidst a global shift toward greener energy sources.
The findings reveal that air pollution related to oil and gas not only contributes to premature deaths but also affects the health of hundreds of thousands more Americans annually. Notably, marginalized communities—especially those of color—experience a disproportionate burden of these health impacts. The study reports over 10,000 pre-term births linked to fine particulate matter from fossil fuels, alongside 216,000 annual childhood-onset asthma cases and 1,610 lifetime cancer cases attributed to this pollution.
Research Details and Geographic Impact
The analysis indicates that the highest rates of air pollution-related deaths and illnesses occur in states such as California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Lead author Karn Vohra noted, “We’ve long known that these communities are exposed to such levels of inequitable exposure as well as health burden. We were able to just put numbers to what that looks like.”
This study represents a significant effort to comprehensively evaluate the health impacts of oil and gas-related air pollution, examining all stages of the supply chain—from exploration to end use. The researchers utilized data from 2017, the latest year with complete figures available, but acknowledged that U.S. oil and gas production has increased by 40 percent between 2017 and 2023, likely underrepresenting the current health crisis.
Using advanced computer modeling, the researchers calculated the complex air chemistry that results in harmful pollutants across the U.S. They analyzed concentrations of air pollutants alongside epidemiological data to determine adverse health outcomes and disparities among different racial-ethnic groups. The study found that the end-use phase of oil and gas largely contributes to health burden, accounting for 96 percent of incidents linked to the industry.
Impact on Vulnerable Communities
The findings reveal that Indigenous and Hispanic populations face significant health risks from the exploration, extraction, transportation, and storage of oil and gas. In contrast, Black and Asian populations are more affected by emissions generated from the processing, refining, manufacturing, distribution, and usage of fossil fuels. These disparities stem from the geographical distribution of communities in specific regions of the United States.
Additionally, the study assessed the spillover effects of U.S. oil and gas-related air pollution on neighboring countries, concluding that it causes 1,170 premature deaths in southern Canada and 440 early deaths annually in northern Mexico.
Political Context and Future Implications
In the backdrop of these alarming findings, the U.S. government, under the administration of former President Donald Trump, has been actively working to relax air pollution regulations. In March 2023, Lee Zeldin, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, announced plans for extensive deregulation, labeling it “the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen.” This agenda includes plans to reconsider regulations affecting power plants, the oil and gas sector, and standards for mercury and other air toxins.
As the U.S. navigates its energy policy, Timothy Donaghy, research director for Greenpeace USA, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Given the reckless deregulation being pushed by Trump’s EPA and the president’s call to ‘drill, baby, drill’, this new study should be a flashing red warning light for the nation.”
With most developed countries pursuing lower emissions and enhanced environmental protections, the timing of these policy shifts raises significant concerns about the future landscape of air quality and public health in the U.S.
