Health experts presented findings to the Dawson Creek council on February 9 regarding the potential negative impacts of oil and gas operations in northeastern B.C.
Dr. Ulrike Meyer, a long-time family physician in Dawson Creek, highlighted an increase in rare cancer cases, attributing them to exposure to contaminants from nearby fracking activities.
Emphasizing the responsibility of health providers to safeguard public well-being, Dr. Meyer noted that several colleagues left the area due to concerns about the health effects of residing near fracking sites.
In one summer, 25 lung biopsies were conducted in Dawson Creek, revealing 23 cases of cancer. Additionally, ten individuals were diagnosed with idiopathic interstitial fibrosis between 2016 and 2018, a lung scarring condition with unknown origins.
Dr. Meyer, who observed an alarming number of such cases in a small population, estimated approximately 30,000 wells engaging in fracking activities in the Peace region since the early 2000s.
Accompanying Dr. Meyer were Dr. Élyse Caron-Beaudoin, a researcher from the University of Toronto, and Dr. Margaret McGregor from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Caron-Beaudoin warned about the potential water and air contamination from fracking chemicals, leading to cellular damage linked to various diseases.
Over the past decade, Dr. Caron-Beaudoin has been studying the health impacts of exposure to oil and gas industry chemicals. Samples collected from pregnant women in northeast B.C. showed higher chemical levels compared to the national average.
Dr. McGregor cited 52 studies conducted between 2000 and 2022 on populations near fracking sites, indicating increased risks of health issues like impaired fetal growth, premature birth, congenital malformations, childhood cancer, and heart disease.
Councillor Jerimy Earl emphasized the need for thoughtful discussion on the matter, acknowledging the economic importance of the oil and gas sector to Dawson Creek residents. He assured that additional air quality monitors have been installed, with data transparency being a priority.
The researchers plan to continue studying health outcomes in the Peace region concerning fracking activities, aiming to raise awareness about the industry’s potential health risks and explore mitigation strategies.
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