PERMANENTLY INCOMPATIBLE:
​Oil & Community Health

Toxic chemicals are used regularly on oil drilling sites. They can pollute the air breathed by adults and children who are living, working and playing as far as a mile away. A long list of scientific studies – and accounts from local residents – tell us that living close to active oil wells is associated with:
  • ​Increased incidence of severe headaches and nosebleeds.
  • Asthma and reduced lung function.
  • Dangerously low birth weight.
  • Premature births.
  • Cancer.
When we asked the community if they or someone they knew had potentially been harmed by living near the IOF, 60% reported thinking they or someone they knew had a health concern related to living near the IOF oil field like cancer, asthma, headaches, nosebleeds, low birth weight, and others. Asthma and headaches were reported the most.

Decades of racist land use policies has allowed oil drilling to be concentrated in overwhelmingly Black and Latinx communities.The racial makeup of the population living within one mile of the Inglewood/Baldwin Hills Oil Field boundary in 2006 was approximately 50% African-American and 15% Hispanic.   
Oil companies have been allowed to reap billions, at the expense of our health. It's time to say now more and put public health & racial justice over Big Oil’s profits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is oil and gas drilling near homes and schools a problem for health?
Oil companies use tens of thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals that pollute the air and land. These chemicals are highly flammable, known to cause chronic health issues and can harm fertility and unborn children. When we allow them to drill in our neighborhoods, we are exposed to all those chemicals, putting our health and safety at risk. Children are most susceptible to damage from these toxins because their bodies are smaller and still developing. Low levels of chemical and air toxin exposure over long periods of time have been shown to significantly damage childhood development and increase the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and asthma. 

What are some of the more common chemicals that are used and stored at drill sites? How do they affect health?
  • Methanol: A flammable air toxin that can cause headaches and dizziness
  • ​Hydrochloric & Hydrofluoric Acid: Chemicals that cause skin burns even at low concentrations. 
  • Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: These substances can harm the normal function of the reproductive system and fertility. They can also harm unborn children.
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These chemicals irritate the skin, eyes and lungs and have been associated with an increased risk of cancer.
  • Silica Sand: This substance can cause silicosis, a lung disease and cancer.
  • Hydrogen Sulfide: This gas is emitted in the process of oil drilling and can cause nausea, headache and dizziness
    in low concentrations, and shock, coma, and death in high concentrations.

Take Action Now

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Send an email to Los Angeles County Supervisors and the Department of Regional Planning today saying you support a policy to phase out oil drilling.