In March, on a journey through Counselor, New Mexico, Billton Werito navigated past natural gas infrastructures including pipelines and wellheads, all while his son Amari lingered in the backseat despite it being a school day. He missed school due to nausea and headaches, common conditions shared by students at Lybrook Elementary School who are affected by the foul odors reminiscent of “rotten eggs with propane” emanating from nearby gas wells.
These health issues frequently cause students like Amari to skip classes, leading to worries about educational setbacks. Amari’s father, Billton, points out how the recurring symptoms often afflict his younger son as well, hindering the children’s education. Situated within the San Juan Basin, Lybrook Elementary is in an area rich in oil and gas deposits which, alongside the productive Permian Basin, supplies significant portions of the nation’s electricity relying heavily on natural gas.
While industries have provided substantial economic gains and employment opportunities in otherwise sparse areas, they inadvertently place students at risk due to proximity. Nearby gas operations could potentially expose approximately 29,500 students from 74 schools, including preschools, to harmful emissions during fuel extraction. At Lybrook specifically, only a small fraction of students meet proficiency in essential academic skills.
The intersection of economic need and environmental health reveals a complex scenario. Further studies indicate the direct negative impact of air pollution on student learning, even when socioeconomic backgrounds are factored in. This issue is not confined to New Mexico alone. An analysis identified that over 1,000 public schools spread across 12 states are located within five miles of major oil or gas fields, placing students at risk of harmful air pollutants.
Professor Mike Gilraine from Simon Fraser University highlights the direct correlation between student performance and air quality, emphasizing the detrimental effects of air pollutants on academic results. Although natural gas usage has led to improved air quality nationally by replacing coal, the data points to a lack of comprehensive air quality monitoring specifically in New Mexico, despite its heavy production.
Independent evaluations, however, have taken place. Research conducted at Lybrook revealed alarming spikes in hazardous pollutants like benzene, predominantly during school hours, posing chronic health risks. A prior health assessment in 2021 also reported widespread respiratory issues among local residents attributable to high pollution levels, including hydrogen sulfide, known for its sulfuric odor linked to headaches.
Community leaders and residents like Daniel Tso have long recognized these issues, advocating for safer environments for future generations. Despite clear air quality concerns, the economic incentives provided by the industry are significant. Critics of pollution studies point out alternate emission sources like vehicular traffic as major pollutants rather than gas wells.
In Loving, southeast New Mexico, similar research revealed air conditions worse than Los Angeles, driven by extensive gas infrastructure located closely to schools. While some acknowledge the environmental cost, the financial contributions from the oil and gas sector to facilities and educational resources are apparent, reflecting a deep-rooted dependency.
To address this, in 2023, regulations restricting drilling activities near schools were reinforced through measures like an executive order halting new leases on state land sitting close to educational institutions. Substantial support from industrial revenues towards the education sector remains, with debates ongoing about balancing economic benefit against environmental health risks.