Meghan Hodges
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a method of extracting natural gas and oil from deep rock formations by injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure. This process has been linked to significant environmental and health concerns, including water and air pollution. It requires large volumes of water, reducing the amount available for drinking and irrigation, and the contaminated water that results cannot be easily cleaned, further impacting water supplies. Fracking also releases toxic chemicals and methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the air and water, with evidence of increased asthma, respiratory illnesses, and cancer risks near fracking sites. The social and environmental problems caused by fracking have led to growing opposition and calls for bans or moratoriums in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water pollution | Water contamination, reduced water supply, increased wastewater |
| Air pollution | Release of methane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, PM2.5, hydrogen sulfide, toxic chemicals |
| Health risks | Cancer, neurological problems, respiratory diseases, low birth weight, higher leukemia risk in children |
| Environmental impact | Destroyed wild places, dead wildlife, contaminated drinking water supplies |
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What You'll Learn
Fracking uses large amounts of water, threatening water supplies
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to extract natural gas or oil from shale rock and other forms of "tight" rock. This process involves injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack rock and release oil and gas. The water used for fracking is typically freshwater taken from groundwater and surface water resources, and each well that is fracked requires hundreds of thousands or millions of gallons of water.
Fracking uses large amounts of water, which can threaten water supplies in several ways. Firstly, fracking operations can strain water resources by removing billions of gallons of water from the water supply each year. This water is typically not returned to the water cycle for further use due to contamination, and it is either left in the well, "recycled" for new wells, or disposed of in deep injection wells. This removal of water from the water supply can have significant impacts, especially in already water-stressed regions. For example, in the drought-ridden Permian Basin region of West Texas, water use for fracking increased by up to 770% between 2011 and 2016, according to a Duke University analysis.
Secondly, fracking operations can contaminate water resources, further threatening water supplies. The chemicals and toxic wastewater used and generated during fracking can pollute waterways and aquifers, which are crucial sources of drinking water. There have been several instances of water contamination linked to fracking, including a 2014 incident in Ohio where thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals leaked into a river tributary, killing over 70,000 fish. In Pavillion, Wyoming, former EPA scientist Dominic DiGiulio found that groundwater contained toxic chemicals typically used in fracking, indicating contamination of the water supply.
Fracking's impact on water supplies is a significant concern, and it has led to increasing calls for regulation and bans on fracking in certain regions. The environmental and health risks associated with fracking's water usage and contamination have sparked debates about the trade-offs between economic benefits and potential hazards. As water is a vital resource, ensuring its protection and sustainable use is essential, and the impacts of fracking on water supplies must be carefully considered and addressed.
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It releases toxic chemicals into the water
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, 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 rock and release oil and gas. Fracking requires a lot of water—more than 100,000 gallons of water are used to create a single fracking well. The water used for fracking is often contaminated with toxic chemicals and cannot be returned to its source without extensive treatment, so it is typically disposed of deep underground, where it is removed from the freshwater cycle. This process can pollute waterways and contaminate drinking water sources.
Fracking has been linked to water contamination and pollution in several US states, including Ohio, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania. In one instance in Ohio in 2014, a fracking equipment failure resulted in a fire and the leakage of thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals into an Ohio River tributary, killing more than 70,000 fish. In Wyoming, former EPA scientist Dominic DiGiulio proved that fracking had polluted groundwater in the region, with high levels of salt and ions found in fracking fluid. Similarly, in Pavillion, Wyoming, residents complained of bad taste and smell in their drinking water, and preliminary testing suggested the presence of toxic chemicals typically found in fracking wastes.
Fracking can release dangerous chemicals and hydrocarbons, including benzene, diesel, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and radioactive materials such as uranium. These chemicals can contaminate water sources, leading to potential health risks for nearby communities. In some cases, private wells providing drinking water have been contaminated with methane and other chemicals, likely escaping from surface pits used to store wastewater. The oil and gas industry generates billions of gallons of wastewater, which can enter and contaminate the environment in various ways, such as through transportation and storage accidents.
The environmental impact of fracking extends beyond water pollution. It also contributes to air pollution, with the release of toxic air contaminants and fine particulate matter. This air pollution can have serious health consequences for both wildlife and humans, including respiratory and neurological problems, cardiovascular damage, endocrine disruption, and cancer. The industrial development accompanying fracking can also drive wildlife away from critical habitats and destroy wild places.
Overall, fracking poses significant risks to water sources and the environment as a whole. The release of toxic chemicals into water supplies can have detrimental effects on both human and wildlife health, and the contamination of drinking water sources is a serious concern. The impact of fracking on water pollution is a pressing issue that requires attention and mitigation to protect the health and well-being of communities and ecosystems.
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Fracking contaminates the air with toxic chemicals
The toxic chemicals used in fracking include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, as well as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and hydrogen sulfide. These chemicals are released into the air during the combustion, flaring, venting, and leaking of natural gas. The burning off or flaring of excess natural gas, the operation of heavy equipment, and the use of diesel trucks can all release toxic chemicals into the air.
The environmental impact of fracking is devastating. It contaminates water sources, endangers wildlife, and contributes to climate change by releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gas pollution, including methane. In addition, fracking requires a large amount of water, reducing the water supply available for drinking and irrigation and further polluting local sources with contaminated wastewater.
The health risks associated with air pollution from fracking are significant. A Colorado study found that exposure to air pollution from fracking could cause neurological problems, respiratory diseases, and cancer in wild animals. Additionally, increased ground-level ozone levels pose risks to humans, raising the chances of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. A 2022 study also linked fracking to childhood leukemia, with children residing within 2 kilometers of a well for unconventional oil and gas development having nearly double the chance of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The extent of air pollution and potential dangers from fracking are not fully understood due to a lack of transparency regarding the specific chemicals used. However, it is clear that fracking contaminates the air with toxic chemicals, endangering both the environment and human health. The impact of fracking on the environment and communities is so severe that many states, including New York, have implemented bans and moratoriums on the practice.
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It increases ground-level ozone, causing respiratory issues
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is an industrial process used to extract fossil fuels like oil and methane gas from shale rock formations deep underground. This process involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with toxic chemicals and sand, at high pressure to fracture the rock and release the oil and gas.
Fracking has been criticised for its environmental and health impacts, including air pollution, the release of greenhouse gases, and the contamination of drinking water sources. One of the key concerns regarding fracking's impact on air quality is the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and other toxic compounds, including nitrogen oxides, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and other hydrocarbons. These pollutants contribute to smog and the formation of ground-level ozone, which has detrimental effects on human health, particularly for those living nearby.
Ground-level ozone is a major component of smog and is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides react in the presence of sunlight. It is a highly reactive gas that can cause respiratory issues and exacerbate existing respiratory conditions. Ozone pollution at ground level has been linked to reduced lung function and the aggravation of asthma and emphysema. Those with pre-existing pulmonary diseases, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ground-level ozone.
The release of methane and other toxic compounds during fracking contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone. Methane is a significant greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, and when leaked or vented into the atmosphere, it accelerates the costly health impacts of climate change. While the exact amount of methane emissions from fracking is not yet fully understood, studies suggest that fracked wells can leak up to 60% more methane than conventional natural gas wells, indicating a significant contribution to air pollution.
In addition to the direct release of pollutants, fracking operations also contribute to air pollution through diesel exhaust from the intense industrial activity and truck traffic associated with well development. The construction of well pads, access roads, pipelines, and utility corridors generates round-the-clock noise, light pollution, and diesel fumes, further impacting air quality and the health of nearby communities.
The health impacts of fracking-related air pollution are significant, and the release of toxic compounds and methane contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, exacerbating respiratory issues and posing risks to vulnerable populations.
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Fracking is linked to neurological problems and cancer
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack rock and release oil and gas. This process has been linked to various environmental and health issues, including pollution, water contamination, and neurological problems.
Neurological Problems
Research has linked fracking chemicals to brain problems in children. A study by Ellen Webb of the Center for Environmental Health found that exposure to air and water pollutants from fracking sites may be associated with "learning and neuropsychological deficits, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurological birth defects, with potentially permanent consequences to brain health." The FracTracker Alliance estimates there are about 1.7 million active oil and gas wells in the US, and Webb recommends increasing the distance between these sites and places where children live or play.
Another study by Brown et al. analyzed the prevalence of discourse on brain and mental health in peer-reviewed and grey literature. They found that 76% of the articles mentioned impacts on the brain, including neural tube defects and neurological symptoms, and mental health issues such as negative psychological effects, stress, and depression.
Cancer
Fracking has also been linked to cancer, particularly in children. A study from the Yale School of Public Health found that children living near unconventional oil and gas (UOG) developments in Pennsylvania were two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with leukemia between the ages of 2 and 7. Another study by researchers including Nicole Deziel reviewed the evidence of cancer risk for 1117 water contaminants and 143 air pollutants related to fracking. They identified 49 water pollutants and 20 air pollutants associated with cancer, with 20 unique compounds showing an increased risk of leukemia or lymphoma.
Additionally, about 25% of fracking chemicals are believed to be carcinogenic, and the true number may be higher. The lack of data and research on the health impacts of fracking has fueled public concerns and calls for more rigorous studies and government action.
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Frequently asked questions
Fracking uses a lot of water. Each well consumes a median of 1.5 million gallons, adding up to billions of gallons nationwide every year.
Fracking contaminates water with the toxic chemicals that are used in the process. In 2014, a fracking equipment failure in Ohio resulted in thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals leaking into an Ohio River tributary, killing more than 70,000 fish.
Fracking releases large quantities of methane and other air pollutants, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. The burning off or flaring of excess natural gas, operation of heavy equipment, and use of diesel trucks can also contribute to air pollution.
Air pollution from fracking can cause neurological problems, respiratory diseases, and cancer in both humans and animals. Water contamination from fracking has also been linked to adverse health effects.
Fracking endangers wildlife by contaminating water sources and increasing ground-level ozone levels, which can be harmful to fish and birds. It also destroys wild habitats and can drive animals away from critical habitats.
