Los Angeles considers oil drilling ban — Deutsche Welle
Los Angeles, United States, is discussing a ban on oil extraction and the future handling of thousands of old wells. Oil facilities in Los Angeles County operate both openly and behind building facades or on artificial islands off the coast of Long Beach. This was reported by Deutsche Welle.
The largest urban oil field in the United States, Inglewood Oil Field, is located next to Kenneth Hahn State Park. Pumpjacks on its grounds are visible from the park. Other wells, according to the state regulator CalGEM, are located beneath residential neighborhoods, schools and playgrounds.
Health risks
Oil wells can emit volatile organic compounds, including benzene, as well as hydrogen sulfide and methane. Studies link living near oil and gas facilities to reduced lung function, higher rates of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, adverse pregnancy outcomes, certain types of cancer and reproductive health complications.
Local residents report odors, headaches, nausea, eye irritation, coughing and difficulty breathing. Activist Regina Martin, who grew up near Inglewood Oil Field, said that air pollution was so noticeable during her childhood that children had to stay indoors during recess.
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Inequality between neighborhoods
The areas with the most intensive drilling in Los Angeles are predominantly inhabited by Black and Latino communities in South and East Los Angeles. At the same time, in areas of West Los Angeles near the ocean, most wells were sealed decades ago.
Rosalinda Morales and Brenda Valdivia, who grew up in Vista Hermosa, said that wells are located near schools and preschool facilities. Valdivia has lupus and has suffered several strokes, while Morales has breathing problems. They believe that years of exposure to pollution from oil extraction may have affected their health, although it is difficult to establish a direct causal link in an individual case.
Community activists advocate closing urban oil fields and gradually ending drilling in Los Angeles County.
