Researchers presented findings to the City of Dawson Creek council on February 9 regarding the potential negative health impacts associated with oil and gas activities in northeastern British Columbia. Dr. Ulrike Meyer, a long-time family physician in Dawson Creek, raised concerns about the increased occurrence of rare cancers, linking them to exposure to contaminants from nearby fracking operations.
Dr. Meyer emphasized the responsibility of healthcare providers to safeguard public health by raising awareness of potential risks. She noted that several of her colleagues had left the community due to concerns about the health effects of living in close proximity to fracking sites.
In the summer of 2023, 25 lung biopsies conducted in Dawson Creek revealed that 23 of them tested positive for cancer. Additionally, between 2016 and 2018, ten individuals were diagnosed with idiopathic interstitial fibrosis, a lung condition with unknown origins.
Dr. Meyer highlighted the significant impact of fracking, which began in the early 2000s, in the Peace region and estimated the presence of around 30,000 wells in the area. She was joined by Dr. Élyse Caron-Beaudoin and Dr. Margaret McGregor, who emphasized the potential dangers of fracking chemicals contaminating water and air, leading to adverse health effects at the cellular level.
Dr. Caron-Beaudoin discussed her decade-long research tracking health impacts from exposure to oil and gas industry chemicals. She shared results showing elevated chemical levels in pregnant women in northeastern B.C. compared to the general Canadian population. Dr. McGregor highlighted numerous studies linking living near fracking sites to risks such as impaired fetal growth, premature birth, congenital malformations, childhood cancer, and heart disease.
Councilor Jerimy Earl acknowledged the need for a balanced discussion on the topic, considering the economic dependence of many Dawson Creek residents on the oil and gas sector. He assured that the city had installed additional air quality monitors for public access and maintained records of water treatment processes.
The researchers intend to continue their investigations into the health outcomes associated with fracking activities in the Peace region. Dr. McGregor stressed the importance of acknowledging and addressing the health risks posed by the gas industry through informed decision-making and mitigation strategies.
