A staggering 46.6 million Americans are putting themselves in harm's way by living within just one mile of fossil fuel infrastructure, according to a groundbreaking new study published by researchers at Boston University.
In a wake-up call for the nation's health, the study reveals that nearly half of all U.S. residents – or about 14% of the population – have at least some level of risk to their well-being due to living near these facilities. These infrastructure sites pose significant threats to air quality and water sources, increasing the likelihood of respiratory problems, cancer, and other serious health issues.
The Boston University team used data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify areas with high concentrations of fossil fuel infrastructure, including refineries, pipelines, and storage tanks. They found that nearly 47 million people live in close proximity to these facilities – an area roughly comparable to a small city like Denver or Atlanta.
With millions at risk, experts warn that immediate action is needed to reduce air pollution and protect public health. According to Dr. Jonathan Buonocore, an assistant professor at Boston University School of Public Health who co-authored the study, "the lack of regulation in this area has allowed these facilities to operate with little oversight." This raises concerns about the environmental justice implications for vulnerable communities.
As concerns mount, government agencies are under pressure to take decisive action. With fossil fuel infrastructure posing a significant threat to public health, it's clear that change is necessary – and fast.
In a wake-up call for the nation's health, the study reveals that nearly half of all U.S. residents – or about 14% of the population – have at least some level of risk to their well-being due to living near these facilities. These infrastructure sites pose significant threats to air quality and water sources, increasing the likelihood of respiratory problems, cancer, and other serious health issues.
The Boston University team used data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify areas with high concentrations of fossil fuel infrastructure, including refineries, pipelines, and storage tanks. They found that nearly 47 million people live in close proximity to these facilities – an area roughly comparable to a small city like Denver or Atlanta.
With millions at risk, experts warn that immediate action is needed to reduce air pollution and protect public health. According to Dr. Jonathan Buonocore, an assistant professor at Boston University School of Public Health who co-authored the study, "the lack of regulation in this area has allowed these facilities to operate with little oversight." This raises concerns about the environmental justice implications for vulnerable communities.
As concerns mount, government agencies are under pressure to take decisive action. With fossil fuel infrastructure posing a significant threat to public health, it's clear that change is necessary – and fast.
it's wild to think 46.6 million ppl are at risk just 'cause they live near fossil fuel stuff... i mean, we gotta take care of our own air & water quality already. 
not sure what's gonna happen but hopefully gov agencies step up their game & make some changes soon 
that's insane... i mean, i'm all for progress and stuff, but come on! shouldn't we be prioritizing people's health over profits by now? 
like, what's the point of having some fancy "environmental protection" agency if they're not gonna do anything about it?
that's like, a whole lotta people. and you're telling me that we can just sit back and do nothing? no way, jose! we gotta take action, pronto! 
I mean, can't we do better than this? Living near fossil fuel infrastructure sounds like a nightmare come true - respiratory problems, cancer... it's all so scary 
. I don't think it's right that some areas are being left out of the safety net just because of where they live. It's like, we're all in this together, you know? 
. We gotta do better than this for our citizens' health and well-being 
I'm all for taking action on air pollution, but I gotta say, 46.6 million Americans risking their health over a mile from fuel facilities seems like a big jump. Are we really saying that living near refineries and pipelines is equivalent to being in a small city? 
It feels like the study's trying to scare people into action without giving them all the facts.
. Like, if we can get people to acknowledge the risks associated with fossil fuel infrastructure, that means we're one step closer to finding alternative solutions, right? 
And I'm sure government agencies will be all over it, making some much-needed changes 
. We just gotta stay vigilant and make our voices heard 
. Plus, think of all the cool jobs that'll get created in the renewable energy sector 
! It's a win-win, even if it doesn't feel like it right now 
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I mean what if all these people are secretly poisoning themselves every day? 
My mom has asthma & she's always complaining about her breathing getting worse after 'going for a drive' near the refineries... is that even a thing?!?! 
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I'm not saying we should be mad at them, but come on! We've got technology that can help us clean up our act (literally). It's just a matter of prioritizing public health over profits, ya know? 
Not me!
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idk how ppl can just ignore this stuff & keep breathing that pollution in. i mean, china was all about reducing air pollution years ago, now we're like "oh no we need to do it too!" 
.
. It's not like it's rocket science – just make sure these places are safe for everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us 
. Change is necessary, and I'm all for it 
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. We need to take action ASAP to protect people's health! I'm all for change, but we gotta make sure it's done right, you know? 
It's time for gov agencies to step up & regulate things better. We can't let vulnerable communities get hurt by polluters 
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