Rural light pollution from shale gas development and associated sleep and subjective well-being

The shale oil and gas boom has had large economic, environmental, and social impacts on rural communities in the United States. This study provides novel estimates of the impacts of shale oil and gas development on light pollution in rural areas of the United States. Using nationwide, time-calibrated DMSP-OLS database from 2000 to 2012, we find robust evidence that the shale oil and gas boom significantly increased light pollution in rural areas. We then assess associations between horizontal drilling and subjective self-rated health using nationwide data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2000 to 2012. Our findings suggest that insufficient sleep and poor health (physical or mental) are associated with increased drilling in rural areas. These results provide support for drilling-related light pollution as an additional environmental pathway of concern for public health beyond the mechanisms of air or water pollution. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The shale oil and gas boom in the United States has had significant economic, environmental, and social impacts on rural communities. This study finds that shale oil and gas development led to increased light pollution in rural areas, as well as associations between insufficient sleep and poor health with increased drilling in rural areas. These results suggest that drilling-related light pollution may pose a concern for public health beyond air or water pollution mechanisms.