Fracking's Water Pollution: How Far Does The Danger Reach?

The environmental impact of fracking is a highly controversial topic. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to extract natural gas or oil from shale and other forms of rock. The process involves injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack the rock and release oil and gas. While fracking typically occurs far beneath the water-bearing rocks from which we source our water, there are several ways in which fracking can contaminate water supplies.

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Fracking contaminates groundwater

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to extract natural gas or oil from shale rock deep underground. This process has been linked to water contamination and negative health impacts, particularly in communities where drilling occurs.

In Pavillion, Wyoming, residents reported a bad taste and smell in their drinking water. Preliminary testing suggested the presence of toxic chemicals, and a comprehensive study by former EPA scientist Dominic DiGiulio confirmed that the groundwater was contaminated with chemicals linked to fracking. DiGiulio's study also indicated that the entire Wind River Basin's groundwater resource was contaminated with chemicals from hydraulic fracturing.

Additionally, a study by Elaine Hill, Ph.D., and Lala Ma, Ph.D., linked shale gas development in Pennsylvania to pollution of public water supplies and adverse infant health outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. The research mapped the location of new wells in relation to groundwater sources and found a direct correlation between drilling proximity and poorer birth outcomes and increased contaminants in public drinking water.

However, some studies and governmental organizations, including the United States Geological Survey and Duke University, have found no evidence of groundwater contamination from fracking. These studies suggest that the risk of water contamination is low due to the distance between groundwater sources and fracking sites, and that fracking fluids are unlikely to migrate upward to contaminate drinking water aquifers.

The debate surrounding fracking's impact on water quality underscores the tension within climate change policies, particularly regarding the reliance on natural gas and the potential trade-off between economic benefits and long-term environmental and health consequences.

Fracking pollutes drinking water

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to extract natural gas or oil from shale and other forms of "tight" rock. This is done by injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack the rock and release the gas or oil. While fracking typically occurs far below the water-bearing rocks (aquifers) from which we get our water, there are several ways in which fracking can contaminate drinking water supplies.

Firstly, fracking requires a lot of water, with each well using hundreds of thousands or even millions of gallons. This water is usually either left in the well, "recycled" for new wells, or disposed of in deep injection wells. Injecting water deep underground keeps it separate from natural aquifers, but it also removes billions of gallons of water from the water supply each year.

Secondly, fracking fluid can leak or spill during transportation to the well site, when mixed with chemical additives, or when pumped from place to place. The high pressure used in fracking means that damage to well infrastructure can result in blowouts that spew wastewater into the environment. This wastewater is produced in enormous volumes and contains dangerous pollutants that have been linked to various negative health effects, including cancer and endocrine disruption.

Furthermore, there is a risk of contamination when the drill hole passes through water-bearing rock. If the borehole is not properly cased to prevent leaks, fracking water can escape into the aquifer. This occurred frequently in the early days of fracking in the USA, and some areas reported high levels of the carcinogen benzene in their underground water supplies as a result. Faulty well construction has also been linked to cases of methane pollution in drinking water supplies.

The potential for contamination is greatest during the pre-production period when a new well is established, and studies have found that drilling near public drinking water sources can lead to an increase in the incidence of preterm births and low birth weight in infants exposed during gestation. For example, a study in the Wind River Basin found that the entire groundwater resource was contaminated with chemicals linked to fracking. Similarly, in Pavillion, Wyoming, people living in the middle of a natural gas basin complained of a bad taste and smell in their drinking water, and preliminary testing suggested the presence of toxic chemicals.

In conclusion, fracking has the potential to contaminate drinking water supplies through various mechanisms, including water usage, fluid leaks or spills, wastewater disposal, and improper drilling practices. The impact of fracking on water quality and the environment underscores the need for closer scrutiny and stricter environmental regulations.

Fracking causes air pollution

The process of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals into horizontally drilled wells, causing shale rock to crack and release natural gas or oil. While fracking has been hailed as a boon for the energy industry, particularly in the United States, it has also raised concerns about its environmental and health impacts, including water contamination and air pollution.

Fracking has been linked to increased air pollution in several ways. Firstly, the process releases hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which have been detected near development sites at levels exceeding health-based standards. These HAP compounds are associated with multiple adverse health outcomes, including cancer. The production phase of fracking has been identified as the most significant contributor to air pollution, emitting a diverse mixture of pollutants over an extended period.

Secondly, the fracking boom has led to a resurgence of hydrocarbon emissions, specifically benzene and ozone. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was routinely measured at high levels in urban areas in the 1970s and 1980s but had been declining due to federal regulations. However, the increase in hydrocarbon emissions from fracking has led to a resurgence of benzene in the atmosphere, affecting areas previously unaffected by such air pollution.

Thirdly, fracking operations have resulted in increased truck traffic, contributing to worsening air quality in regions with oil and gas drilling. The hundreds of well pads established during the fracking boom require the transportation of water, chemicals, and equipment, as well as the removal of wastewater. This increased truck traffic has led to higher emissions and further degraded air quality in shale areas.

Finally, the storage and disposal of wastewater produced during fracking operations pose additional risks. The potential exposure to air pollutants is higher when production equipment is located near storage tanks for natural gas liquids and wastewater ponds. The release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during faulty well construction or gas well malfunctions, can also contribute to air pollution.

Fracking removes water from the water supply

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to extract natural gas or oil from shale rock and other forms of "tight" rock. The process involves injecting a mixture of water and chemicals into the rock formation to break it up and release the gas or oil. This mixture, known as "frack fluid", becomes toxic waste that must be safely disposed of.

The hydraulic fracturing process requires large quantities of water, which are typically drawn from local water supplies. This means that fracking can have a significant impact on water availability, especially in areas where water is already scarce. Removing water from the supply can create water scarcity issues and impact the local community's access to water.

In addition, the wastewater created by fracking is often contaminated with chemicals and other pollutants. This wastewater must be properly contained and treated before disposal or reuse. If it is not properly managed, it can find its way back into the water supply, further reducing the amount of clean water available and increasing the concentration of pollutants in the remaining freshwater sources.

The contamination of water supplies by fracking has been a concern for communities and environmental groups. Studies have shown that fracking can contaminate groundwater, with toxic chemicals and heavy metals finding their way into drinking water sources. In some cases, fracking has been linked to the contamination of entire groundwater resources, such as the Wind River Basin in the United States.

Fracking impacts infant health

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to extract natural gas or oil from shale and other forms of "tight" rock. While it has gained a foothold in the energy market, it has also been linked to water contamination and adverse health effects.

Several studies have examined the impact of fracking on drinking water quality and infant health. One study from Pennsylvania, which has a history of coal mining, used public drinking water measurements to identify health effects below regulatory thresholds. It found that water pollution from fracking was affecting infant health, with exposure occurring in utero through water source proximity to gas wells drilled during gestation. The study also found that SGD-related contamination increased 90 days after well drilling and continued for up to 270 days before returning to baseline.

Another study from Pennsylvania examined the impacts of chemicals used in fracking on pregnancy outcomes. It found that communities with more fracking wells had significantly higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in newborns. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that oil and gas development has consistent health harms on local communities.

The specific mechanisms by which fracking impacts infant health are still being investigated. However, it is well-known that high levels of water contamination can damage health. The chemicals used in fracking, many of which are unknown due to lax disclosure laws, are believed to be a significant factor. Other factors include exposure to air pollution, flaring, and constant noise and light pollution.

The health effects of water pollution from fracking are difficult to isolate from other factors correlated with proximity to drilling activity. However, the potential for groundwater contamination exists in all stages of the shale gas development life cycle. The primary pathways include spills during chemical mixing and waste management, well casing failures, induced fractures, tank leaks, and pipeline leaks.

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