Lisa McKenzie, a noted public health researcher, reflects on the significant transformation she witnessed in the landscape of Colorado due to fossil fuel production, particularly in the picturesque mesas of the Rocky Mountains.
Her initial aerial view of the area revealed a stark reality of oil and gas extraction, sparking a profound shift in her research focus. She vividly recalls spotting numerous well pads, which she calculated to amount to around 7,000 sources of benzene.
This disheartening scene led McKenzie, a recently retired associate professor at the Colorado School of Public Health, to leverage her expertise in environmental chemistry and epidemiology.
Since the 2010s, she has spearheaded influential studies which have critically examined the health effects related to hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking.
McKenzie’s extensive research has played an instrumental role in informing and shaping the regulatory environment surrounding drilling practices across the United States.
Fracking involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals into the earth to extract fossil fuels from deep shale deposits, contributing to a surge in well numbers, particularly near urban areas in states like Colorado, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
As public sentiment shifts, recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans now oppose fracking, according to an October survey by the Pew Research Center. Growing health concerns have led residents in Colorado to contemplate whether the scientific consensus surrounding the health risks associated with fracking has reached a pivotal moment comparable to that of tobacco research in the past.
McKenzie, along with fellow researchers, believes substantial evidence now supports the notion that living in proximity to oil and gas extraction sites carries health risks, especially for vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
She highlights the consistency of findings across diverse studies utilizing various methodologies and populations, which bolsters confidence in the body of research supporting these health concerns.
Throughout her career, McKenzie’s research results have gained recognition in key reports published in states such as California and New York, demonstrating the widespread implications of her work as she enters retirement.
As she reflects on her legacy, she acknowledges both the challenges and triumphs faced during her research journey, having been publicly criticized for her findings by state health officials and the oil and gas industry.
Notably, even as she prepares for retirement, her recent studies have prompted state regulators to initiate a new panel of experts aimed at evaluating the latest research on the public health impacts of fracking.
This initiative highlights the ongoing relevance of her work and signifies the growing need for informed discussions about the intersection of public health and energy development.
In the early 2010s, McKenzie co-authored one of the first comprehensive studies exploring the health implications of air pollution from oil and gas wells encroaching on residential neighborhoods.
Her pioneering project received national attention when it appeared in the peer-reviewed journal Science of the Total Environment in 2012. The study estimated heightened cancer risks for individuals living closer to wells, emphasizing benzene as a major contributor to overall cancer risk.
During a congressional hearing in Denver, she presented her findings, advocating for reduced air emissions from oil and gas development while highlighting the limitations of her research and calling for continued investigation.
Subsequent studies co-authored by McKenzie in 2014 provided critical early evidence linking oil and gas development to negative birth outcomes. Her research revealed a concerning association between living in areas of intense oil and gas activity and increased rates of congenital heart defects in children.
Colleagues and researchers who have collaborated with McKenzie emphasize the significance of her work in defining exposure concepts in the field, underlining her role as a pioneer in the study of health outcomes associated with environmental contaminants.
Beyond academic circles, McKenzie’s research has resonated with public advocates and figures in political campaigns, further elevating the discussion around fracking and public health.
High-profile celebrities have invoked her findings, utilizing them in campaigns advocating for tighter regulations on hydraulic fracturing and increased awareness of the environment and health impact of oil and gas production.
As public pressure mounted, officials including Colorado’s chief medical officer challenged McKenzie’s findings, suggesting that her studies had not adequately accounted for other risk factors. Nonetheless, her rigorous research methodology and commitment to transparency were noted within her published papers.
Determining the specific environmental factors contributing to health risks is a complex task, and while much of McKenzie’s work speaks to the associations observed, establishing direct causation remains a challenge.
“We often cannot conduct randomized control trials because of ethical considerations, making it difficult to isolate the effects of specific pollutants,” explained McKenzie in an interview. Her dedication to examining the health impacts of nearby fracking led to a continuous inquiry into how rapid oil and gas development affects the health of Colorado residents.
Over the past 14 years, McKenzie has published multiple peer-reviewed studies revealing correlations between oil and gas development intensity and adverse health outcomes, including childhood cancer and early cardiovascular disease indicators.
Additionally, her team’s research has indicated that property values tend to decline for homes situated close to oil and gas wells.
Elaborating on her work, McKenzie and her colleagues conducted a detailed assessment in early 2018 following air sampling campaigns by state and federal agencies, revealing alarming lifetime cancer risk estimates for those living near fossil fuel pads.
What sets McKenzie’s research apart is her unique approach that combines exposure monitoring—measuring communities’ exposure to pollutants—with detailed health assessments, allowing for a holistic understanding of the impacts of oil and gas activities.
In partnership with experts in the field, McKenzie led a 2023 study focusing on residents in Broomfield, Colorado, finding that those living within one mile of oil and gas pads reported significantly higher instances of respiratory issues and other adverse health effects compared to those living further away.
“Her practical approach allows for a nuanced understanding of the research landscape,” remarked Meagan Weisner, a senior scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund and a collaborator on the study. “Even if we found no connection between symptoms and oil and gas exposure, we would pursue it relentlessly.”
The implications of McKenzie’s work extend beyond local concerns, influencing oil and gas regulations across the nation. Her contributions to scientific literature are widely recognized, contributing to state-level legislative actions in New York and Vermont, which have imposed bans on fracking due to public health concerns that her research highlighted.
In Colorado, the decision by regulators to convene an expert panel in response to McKenzie’s research underscores the critical need for incorporating scientific evidence into energy policymaking.
As a result of growing recognition for her findings, McKenzie and her colleagues have played a critical role in shaping policies that prioritize public health and environmental safety rather than simply promoting energy production.
In 2019, the mission of Colorado’s oil and gas agency underwent a significant transformation, shifting its focus towards enhancing public health and safety and ensuring environmental protection measures were integrated into regulatory frameworks.
Currently, regulators note they are issuing fewer drilling permits in light of new stringent standards aimed at reducing pollution from energy companies.
In conversations about oil and gas rulemaking in Colorado, McKenzie’s name frequently comes up, indicating her substantial influence on the regulatory landscape.
As McKenzie’s studies gained traction in Colorado, California’s oil and gas regulator began collaborating with her and other scientists to examine the public health implications of fossil fuel development.
The culmination of this work yielded a comprehensive report in 2024 that found a clear causal relationship between living near oil and gas wells and substantial health issues, including adverse respiratory outcomes.
Recognizing the pressing need for regulatory change, California implemented some of the strictest well setback rules in the nation as a direct response to the research insights led by McKenzie.
Community members, equipped with scientific data from McKenzie’s work, have utilized this evidence to advocate for their health and safety in the face of ongoing oil and gas extraction efforts.
In recent months, McKenzie’s research has continued to draw significant attention, leading to a published study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
This latest research revealed concerning associations between instances of childhood leukemia and proximity to oil and gas well sites, suggesting that the existing state law for drilling setbacks may fall short of protecting children’s health adequately.
As expected, the oil and gas industry has staunchly pushed back against these findings, arguing that the research fails to establish a direct causal link between hydraulic fracturing and childhood cancer.
In response, McKenzie clarified that while specific exposure levels were not determined, the study did account for the overall density of emitting sites and potential health implications associated with such exposure.
Continuing to gauge the validity and impact of her research, McKenzie takes pride in the academic recognition she receives, noting that her 2012 study has been cited over 850 times, further illustrating the lasting consequences of her work.
McKenzie’s mentorship of younger scientists has helped spur a growing movement focused on scientifically grounded activism and public health advocacy related to energy development.
Furthermore, a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives indicated shortcomings in the efficiency of emissions reduction practices currently enforced on oil and gas operators in Colorado, revealing that health risks persist despite regulatory efforts.
The paper emphasized the importance of establishing new policies to mitigate emissions, particularly during high pollution seasons, asserting that current practices may not adequately safeguard public health.
As air quality continues to deteriorate and fracking projects threaten suburban areas, research opportunities remain abundant for exploring the health effects of fossil fuel extraction.
Although McKenzie is retiring from her academic post, she remains committed to pursuing studies in public health and environmental impacts, ensuring her legacy of inquiry into the health implications of fossil fuel development in communities persists.
image source from：kunc
