Fracking's Air Pollution: What You Need To Know

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is an inexpensive method of extracting oil or natural gas by injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack rock and release oil and gas. While fracking has the potential to provide more oil and gas resources to consumers, it has been associated with multiple environmental damages, including air pollution. The process releases airborne contaminants, including toxic chemicals and methane, which can have detrimental effects on human and wildlife health, as well as contributing to global warming and climate change.

Fracking releases toxic chemicals, such as benzenes and xylenes, into the air

Fracking, or high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF), is an inexpensive method of extracting natural gas and oil from impermeable rock. However, it is associated with multiple environmental damages, including air pollution. The fracking procedure involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with chemicals and solid particles, into underground rock. This process releases toxic chemicals, such as benzenes and xylenes, into the air.

Benzenes and xylenes are harmful petroleum hydrocarbons that can cause serious health issues. Studies have shown that chronic exposure to these chemicals can increase the risk of cancer for people living near fracking sites. In addition to these toxic chemicals, fracking also releases nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, and other hydrocarbons.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified over a thousand chemicals used in fracking fluid, many of which are considered harmful to human health. Some of these chemicals are even known to be carcinogenic, yet they continue to be approved for use by the EPA. For example, between 2012 and 2020, fossil fuel corporations injected potentially carcinogenic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the ground while fracking, after receiving approval from the EPA.

The use of these toxic chemicals has had detrimental effects on nearby communities. People living near fracking sites have complained of contaminated water and health problems, including low infant birth weights, disruptions to the immune and reproductive systems, and cancer. The lack of disclosure on the specific chemicals used in fracking has made it difficult for individuals to seek proper diagnosis and treatment for their health issues.

The process also emits methane, a greenhouse gas that traps heat

Fracking is a process that injects water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack rock and release oil and gas. This process is associated with multiple environmental damages, including air pollution.

Fracking releases methane, a greenhouse gas that traps heat. Methane is released during venting operations or leaks. Natural gas, which is primarily made up of methane, can cause oxygen deprivation and act as an asphyxiant at high concentrations. It is also flammable and highly explosive.

The release of methane during the fracking process contributes to global warming and climate change. Research indicates that the U.S. oil and gas industry emits 16.9 million metric tons of methane annually, according to the International Energy Agency. Some methane is inadvertently leaked through faulty equipment, while some are deliberately vented into the atmosphere between extractions. The EPA estimates that the U.S. accounts for more methane emissions than 164 countries combined.

The increase in methane emissions from fracking has significant impacts on air quality and public health. Methane emissions contribute to the formation of smog and ozone, which can cause respiratory issues and other health problems for people living nearby. The loud machines and bright lights of industrial fracking areas can also impact wildlife, driving away species that depend on specific habitats for survival.

Overall, the release of methane during the fracking process has far-reaching consequences, contributing to climate change, air pollution, and health issues for both humans and wildlife.

Increased truck traffic to and from well pads contributes to air pollution

The fracking boom has led to an increase in truck traffic to and from well pads, which has contributed to worsening air quality trends in areas with oil and gas drilling. This increase in truck traffic has resulted in more emissions in shale areas, including nitrogen oxide emissions, largely from diesel engines in trucks. These emissions can form significant amounts of harmful ground-level ozone during the day.

The burning off or flaring of excess natural gas, as well as the operation of heavy equipment and diesel trucks used to transport materials, can also release toxic chemicals into the air. The chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process, as well as those that surface with the natural gas, can further impact air quality. The specific chemicals used in fracking are not always disclosed, making it difficult to fully understand the extent of air pollution and potential risks to local communities.

Research has found that hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) associated with oil and gas development have been detected near well pads at levels exceeding health-based standards. These pollutants can have adverse health effects on nearby residents, with increased risks of respiratory issues, cancer, and other health problems. The production phase of unconventional gas development is found to emit the highest concentrations and most varied mixture of air pollutants over extended periods.

The increase in truck traffic and related emissions from unconventional production contributes to the overall air pollution levels in shale areas. This has led to a resurgence of pollutants like benzene, a known carcinogen, and elevated health risks for people living in these areas. The proximity to well pads further increases the potential exposure to air toxics and pollutants, impacting the well-being of communities affected by drilling operations.

Flaring, burning gas during well maintenance, emits air pollutants

Flaring is the process of burning off gases, particularly methane-rich natural gas, that are deemed uneconomical to collect and sell. It is a common practice in the oil and gas industry, with companies arguing that it is done for safety and maintenance reasons. However, flaring emits a variety of air pollutants, including methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and toxic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and hexanes. These emissions contribute to climate change and air pollution, which can have negative impacts on human health and the environment.

During well maintenance, flaring is used to burn off gases that are released during unplanned overpressuring of equipment or during startup, maintenance, and testing procedures. In the case of natural gas produced as a byproduct of oil extraction, flaring is employed to burn off the gas, particularly when it is not economical to transport or market. This practice is common when gas production exceeds pipeline capacity or when companies lack the technology to convert gas to liquid for transport.

The burning of natural gas during flaring can lead to the release of hazardous, global-warming gases. While flaring can convert methane to carbon dioxide before its release into the atmosphere, thereby reducing its global warming potential, it still contributes to air pollution. Flaring emissions are estimated to have contributed to 270 megatonnes of carbon dioxide in 2017, and efforts are being made to reduce these emissions, such as through the Global Methane Pledge signed at COP26.

Additionally, flaring can result in the emission of other toxic compounds. For example, if the natural gas contains hydrogen sulfide (H2S), also known as sour gas, flaring can lead to the release of hydrogen sulfide emissions. Other noxious fumes emitted by flaring include aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylenes) and benzo(a)pyrene, which are known to be carcinogenic.

The oil and gas industry has faced criticism for its flaring practices, with experts arguing that weak regulations, ineffective tracking, and a lack of economic incentives contribute to the problem. Efforts are being made to address these issues, such as the EPA's proposed regulations under Biden's executive order, which aim to reduce flaring emissions and eliminate venting. These regulations would require operators to utilize the gas on-site or transport it for sale, with flaring allowed only under specific conditions, such as the EPA's 95% flaring efficiency standard.

Fracking contaminates water, reducing the supply for drinking and irrigation

Fracking contaminates water, affecting local groundwater and threatening to pollute local sources with contaminated wastewater. This reduces the supply of water for drinking and irrigation.

Fracking uses large amounts of water—more than 100,000 gallons of water are used to create a fracking well, and each well consumes a median of 1.5 million gallons. This adds up to billions of gallons nationwide every year, reducing the amount of water available for drinking and irrigation.

The water used in fracking becomes contaminated with toxic chemicals, which can then affect local water sources. For example, in 2014, a fire at an Ohio fracking site caused thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals to leak into an Ohio River tributary, killing more than 70,000 fish.

The high salinity of wastewater spills from fracking can also reduce the soil's ability to support plant life, further impacting the availability of food and crops that require irrigation.

Fracking has also been associated with increased seismic activity, which can damage water sources. For instance, the largest earthquake attributed to wastewater disposal from fracking occurred in 2016 near Pawnee, Oklahoma, with a magnitude of 5.8.

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