Over half million Americans are exposed to oil and gas “flaring” events Researchers from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and the University of Southern California have found that more than a half million Americans are exposed to oil and gas "flaring" events -; the burning off of excess natural gas at production sites -; resulting in potentially serious health risks. "There is growing evidence linking residence near unconventional oil and gas operations with negative health impacts for nearby residents, including impacts on fetal growth and preterm birth," said Dr. Lara Cushing, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. "This includes our recent finding that living within about three miles of flaring is associated with increased risk of preterm birth."