Residing near oil and gas operations associated with worse mental health in people hoping to become pregnant

A new study from Boston University School of Public Health, published in the American Journal of Public Health, examines the mental health effects of living near oil and gas operations on individuals planning pregnancies. While past research has linked proximity to these operations with health issues during and after pregnancy, this is the first study to focus on preconception mental health. Analyzing data from 5,725 people across 37 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, the study found that those living within about six miles of active oil and gas sites reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and stress compared to those living 12 to 31 miles away. Although the study doesn’t prove causation, it suggests that economic, social, and environmental impacts of oil and gas development may affect mental health. Notably, many participants experiencing high stress lived farther from oil and gas operations than the minimal setback distances required by regulations in states like Pennsylvania and Texas.