Oil
companies looking to expand fracking in Argentina have been met by
opposition from indigenous Mapuche communities and environmentalists
who say the controversial extraction method has ruined their drinking
water and caused cancer.
"The
animals drank the water and then they gave birth to kids with just
skin, no hair. That's never happened before," Mapuche member
Susana Campo told the BBC.
Members of
the Mapuche communities claim there has been an increase in animal
deformities as a result of fracking, which pumps highly-pressurized
water deep into rock to release gas and oil.
A University
of Pennsylvania and Columbia University found people who live close
to fracking sites are more likely to have heart conditions, cancer,
and neurological illnesses.
The
community insists the water is contaminated, with some reporting
being sick from drinking it.
“I've had
stomach aches. I've also vomited,” Josefia Campo said. “We know
it's because the water is contaminated, but we have to continue
drinking this water. Poor people can't afford to buy water.”
Full
report:
Comments
Post a Comment