The shale oil and gas boom has had large economic, environmental, and social impacts on rural communities in the United States. This study provides novel estimates of the impacts of shale oil and gas development on light pollution in rural areas of the United States. Using nationwide, time-calibrated DMSP-OLS database from 2000 to 2012, we find robust evidence that the shale oil and gas boom significantly increased light pollution in rural areas. We then assess associations between horizontal drilling and subjective self-rated health using nationwide data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2000 to 2012. Our findings suggest that insufficient sleep and poor health (physical or mental) are associated with increased drilling in rural areas. These results provide support for drilling-related light pollution as an additional environmental pathway of concern for public health beyond the mechanisms of air or water pollution.

页岩油气的繁荣对美国的农村社区产生了巨大的经济、环境和社会影响。本研究提供了页岩油气开发对美国农村地区光污染影响的新估计。使用 2000 年至 2012 年全国范围内时间校准的 DMSP-OLS 数据库，我们发现了强有力的证据表明页岩油气繁荣显着增加了农村地区的光污染。然后，我们使用 2000 年至 2012 年行为风险因素监测系统 (BRFSS) 的全国数据评估水平钻探与主观自评健康之间的关联。我们的研究结果表明，睡眠不足和健康状况不佳（身体或精神）与钻探增加有关在农村地区。