In New Mexico, the growth of oil and gas industries has flourished. The educational institutions are grappling with the consequences of pollution.
In a small town named Counselor, New Mexico, sixth grader Amari Werito consistently misses school due to health issues traced back to nearby gas wells. His father, Billton, lamented how the symptoms are not only affecting his sons' education but also their wellbeing.
"It happens a lot," Amari explained from the backseat. The rotten egg and propane odor emitted from the gas wells often causes his nausea and headaches, and his little brother faces the same issues.
Lybrook Elementary School, where Amari and around 70 other Navajo students attend, sits right in the heart of New Mexico's San Juan Basin – a significant oil and gas deposit. This region, along with the Permian Basin in the southeast, has been leading the nation's electricity demand with its natural gas supply.
The benefits are undeniable. Natural gas has turned into a preferred fuel for power plants, replacing dirtier coal in many cases and improving air quality. Oil and gas companies provide employment opportunities, especially in areas with limited job possibilities, while boosting state revenues.
However, these advantages may come at a steep cost for thousands of students in New Mexico, attending schools within proximity to pipelines, wellheads, and flare stacks. An Associated Press analysis discovered 694 oil and gas wells with new or active permits within a mile of a school in the state, potentially exposing around 29,500 students to harmful emissions during extraction.
Lybrook, Amari's school, struggles academically. Fewer than 6% of students are proficient in math, and only one-fifth meet state standards for science and reading proficiency.
Aside from poverty and isolation, research has shown that air pollution from fossil fuels directly harms student learning. The risks extend beyond New Mexico, with additional studies in other states confirming this. Research from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, reveals that student test scores are closely linked to air contamination levels.
"This kind of air pollution has a real, measurable effect on students," said Mike Gilraine, an economics professor at Simon Fraser University.
Many community members near Lybrook, like Daniel Tso, understand the issues. "The children and the grandchildren need a safe homeland," Tso said while standing near gas wells, pointing out the frequent, foul odors.
Meanwhile, officials at Lybrook schools did not respond to requests for comment.
Similar air quality problems have been observed in New Mexico's southeast, particularly in Loving, where air quality was found to be worse than in downtown Los Angeles, containing the fifth-highest level of ozone contamination in the U.S. The source of the harmful ozone, which is hazardous to children, was the area's network of gas wells.
Many locals, however, view the oil and gas industry's economic benefits as overwhelming any concerns about pollution. Some industry representatives even question the validity of the studies. On the other hand, educational institutions and advocates demand stricter regulations to protect children from the harmful effects of air pollution.
Further investigations and studies continue to shed light on this issue, providing insights into the potential risks faced by students living in close proximity to oil and gas operations and the need for increased regulation to protect children's health and academic performance.
References[1]: "Study: Pollutants Spike During School Hours Near Gas Wells in Counselor, New Mexico." Associated Press, 28 Mar. 2023. Web.
[2]: "Research Identifies Air Quality Problems Near New Mexico Schools." Associated Press, 17 Mar. 2023. Web.
[3]: "AP Analysis: Oil and Gas Extraction Near Public Schools Puts Thousands of Students at Risk." Associated Press, 22 Mar. 2023. Web.
[4]: "Air Pollution Harms Student Learning, Even After Accounting for Socioeconomic Factors." ResearchGate, 14 Feb. 2023. Web.
- The gas wells in Counselor, New Mexico, located near Los Angeles, emit harmful odors that cause health issues for sixth grader Amari Werito and his little brother, impacting their education and wellbeing.
- Natural gas, abundant in New Mexico's San Juan Basin and Permian Basin, has become a preferred fuel for power plants, improving air quality and providing employment opportunities.
- Despite the benefits, oil and gas operations may pose risks to students, as an Associated Press analysis discovered 694 new or active oil and gas wells within a mile of schools in New Mexico, potentially exposing around 29,500 students to harmful emissions.
- Educational institutions demand stricter regulations to protect children from the harmful effects of air pollution, as research from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, reveals a link between student test scores and air contamination levels.
- Lybrook Elementary School, where Amari attends, struggles academically, with fewer than 6% of students being proficient in math, and only one-fifth meeting state standards for science and reading proficiency.
- The risks extend beyond New Mexico, as air quality problems have been observed in Loving's southeast, containing worse air quality than downtown Los Angeles, with gas wells as the source of harmful ozone contamination.
- Community members near Lybrook, such as Daniel Tso, understand the issues and advocate for a safe homeland for future generations, pointing out the frequent foul odors emitted from gas wells.
- Educational and environmental science advocates question the validity of the views from some industry representatives who downplay the impacts of air pollution on student learning and health.
- Increased funding for education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and learning, along with stricter environmental regulations, could help mitigate the impact of pollution on student academic performance and personal development.
- Future investigations and studies will continue to shed light on the potential risks faced by students living in close proximity to oil and gas operations, highlighting the need for increased regulation to protect children's health, academic performance, and overall wellbeing.
