NEW MEXICO– Children outside during recess breathe dangerous fossil fuel toxins directly, which can stunt growth. The pollutants can also cause respiratory diseases, reduced lung function, and increases asthma, nosebleeds, neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health issues, and pediatric cancer. Many studies found the exposure disrupts a student’s cognitive ability during school.
New Mexico State Representative Debbie Sariñana’s proposed legislation, Children’s Health Protection Zones HB 35, will prevent new wells from being drilled within a mile of a school.
“New Mexico’s school system has 34,000 children who attend school within a mile of an oil and gas production site. Schools in both the Permian and San Juan basins have oil and gas wells within a mile, and in at least one case, within a few hundred feet,” said New Mexico State Representative Debbie Sariñana, a retired teacher, Air Force veteran, Elected Officials to Protect America Leadership Council Co-chair. “While our children are attending school, too many breathe in invisible toxins that seep into their classes from oil and gas wells positioned dangerously close to their schools. In some cases, these polluting wells are adjacent to playgrounds.”
Jefferson Elementary in Hobbs is surrounded by 161 wells. The Eunice school district has 120 wells within 1 mile, and Lybrook Elementary in Farmington has 19 within 1 mile.