The Dangers of Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic Fracturing is advertised as a benefit to the United States failing economy, however at what cost to the American Citizens and the environment? I don't agree that while there are a few economic benefits, they are worth exposing people to radioactive and dangerous chemicals.
“Hyrdro-Fracking” is the use of millions of gallons of water pumped into shale to cause cracking which releases natural gas. The water is mixed with various chemicals which help break up the shale rock in the earth’s outer layer.1 This process is beneficial for retrieving natural gas in an efficient manor for energy.2 However, it is contaminating our clean water with the chemicals that are used and putting people around the hydraulic fracturing sites at risk of exposure to radiation and air pollution.3 There are various reasons why this process needs to had a bad effect on the environment.
Hydraulic fracturing has an effect on public health, drinking water, and the habitats of fish and other wildlife. The air emissions caused from “hydro-fracking” are found to be at around the same level of danger to public health as coal mining. This is because of the methods used to “hydro-frack“. Which include diesel engines, compressor stations, and flaring. All of these have air pollution effects. Also, there is hazardous liquid and solid waste from hydraulic fracturing that is kept on site and then transported on public roads to sewage plants and municipal landfills.
1 Citizens Campaign for the Environment – “Natural Gas Hydro-Fracking in Shale” 5/2/2012
2 Chevron: Natural Gas From Shale – “Unlocking Energy from Shale Rock Formations” 5/2/2012
3 Citizens Campaign for the Environment – “Natural Gas Hydro-Fracking in Shale” 5/2/2012
If this waste is not properly disposed of it can have severe radiation effects, from the shale, on the areas around the sites.1
The hydraulic fracturing effect on the clean water supply is also very negative. According to a report on the water used there are approximately five-hundred ninety six chemicals which include damaging chemicals. Naphthalene is one of the chemicals used, which happens to be a blood poison. Other chemicals include Xylene and Carbon disulfide which are neurotoxins.2
Resulting from the chemical induced water is a radioactive byproduct which the companies that drill for the natural gas in the shale have no real plan of disposing. These companies do not have a plan for treating the water in order for it to be redistributed into public pipes for consumption.3 This means that the amount of clean water in the world is decreased due to hydraulic fracturing. Hardly a worthy trade for a supply of energy when there are other energy methods that can be used such as solar and hydro power. There have been instances where evacuations have taken place due to wells on these sites exploding. Residents in these areas are effected greatly by the aftermath. Water in these areas is so contaminated by the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing that they can actually set their water on fire. Although there are some benefits from hydraulic fracturing.
Hydraulic fracturing in the United States would benefit the economy in a few different ways. Due to the fact that the shale is in the United States we would rely less on foreign imported oils. This would cause an economic boost because the public would be buying internally and less money would be going to imported oils from different countries such as those in the Middle East.
2 GetFacts Not Hype – “The Dirty Truth Behind Hydrofracking” 11/4/2010
3 Citizens Campaign for the Environment – “Natural Gas Hydro-Fracking in Shale” 5/2/2012
It would also create more jobs. However, these jobs would be working on the hydraulic fracturing sites. Which would be exposing the workers to radioactive chemicals and polluted air.4
Other benefits from the hydraulic fracturing include less emissions from carbon dioxide. This would help accelerate the United States to a carbon-light environment. Although the carbon dioxide would be decreasing, the amount of clean water supply would still be diminishing. So the trade for less carbon dioxide would be less relevant because clean water is needed to survive.5 Even though the percentage of carbon dioxide in the environment would be going down the amount of air pollution, due to the carcinogens that are emitted from the compressor stations, would be increasing. Among these carcinogens is Benzene which can cause cancer and is notorious for causing bone marrow failure.6
Hydraulic fracturing poses a threat to such laws as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. The act of hydraulic fracturing poses a threat on all of these laws. However, they have been allowed to break these laws due to the fact that they are obtaining natural gas. This goes against the right of the people in the surrounding areas of the sites. Farmers who’s cattle is exposed to the air pollution and water pollution from hydraulic fracturing may be sold to the meat markets. Therefore, this would expose even more people to the toxins from hydraulic fracturing sites. People have a right to choose what they are exposed to. Since hydraulic fracturing is not friendly to the environment, people, or wild life, it should not persist.
4 Chevron: Natural Gas From Shale – “Unlocking Energy from Shale Rock Formations” 5/2/2012
5 Chesapeak Energy – “Hydraulic Fracturing” 2012
6 GetFacts Not Hype – “The Dirty Truth Behind Hydrofracking” 11/4/2010
Though hydraulic fracturing will achieve energy sources it is not safe for the environment. The byproduct that is left over from the chemical induced water is dangerous and radioactive. Air is polluted due to the machines that are used. They emit chemicals such as Benzene which is very harmful to anyone that is exposed to it. Water that is affected by the chemicals used can be set on fire, no one should be consuming water that is flammable. Hydraulic fracturing is not friendly to anyone or anything in any environment and should be stopped from continuing and a more efficient and safe manor for obtaining the natural gas in the shale should be devised.
