Air Pollutants From Gas Fracking: 5 Key Culprits

Gas fracking, or high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF), has been associated with multiple environmental damages, including air pollution. The fracking procedure, which is linked to natural gas and oil, releases harmful chemicals and gases into the atmosphere. This introduction of air pollutants has led to worsening air quality trends in regions with oil and gas drilling. Here, we will discuss five specific air pollutants that are released during the gas fracking process and their potential impacts.

Benzene, a hydrocarbon and carcinogen, is released during fracking

Benzene, a hydrocarbon and carcinogen, is released during the fracking process. Fracking involves drilling wells into tight geological formations, such as shale, and then hydraulically fracturing the wells to encourage the flow of hydrocarbons. This process releases benzene, which is a component of crude oil, and can be toxic to the nervous system, liver, and kidneys at high concentrations.

Benzene is a known human carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer. A health impact assessment conducted in Garfield County, CO, concluded that air pollution from fracking operations is likely to cause short-term and long-term disease, including respiratory illness, neurological problems, birth defects, and cancer. The assessment found that natural gas development and production operations release many hydrocarbons, including benzene, into the air, exposing nearby residents to these dangerous contaminants.

Workers involved in fracking operations are also at risk of exposure to dangerous levels of benzene. A study by NIOSH found that 15 out of 17 samples exceeded the recommended exposure limit for benzene, indicating a significant health risk for these workers. The study also highlighted the risk of fires during flowback operations due to the presence of volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons.

The release of benzene during fracking has contributed to a resurgence of this toxic air pollutant. While urban ambient benzene concentrations have decreased over the last 20 to 30 years, the fracking boom has led to an increase in hydrocarbon emissions, affecting benzene levels in areas that were previously not significantly impacted by air pollution. This trend is particularly concerning given the lack of monitoring and regulation in many shale and fracking areas.

Ozone, an oxidant, is another pollutant affected by fracking emissions

Ozone, a strong oxidant, is another pollutant affected by fracking emissions. Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds are exposed to heat and sunlight. Nitrogen oxide emissions, largely from diesel engines in trucks, compressors, and drilling rigs, combine with hydrocarbons to form significant amounts of harmful ground-level ozone during the day.

The increase in truck traffic and related emissions in shale areas due to unconventional production have contributed to higher nitrogen oxide emissions. Additionally, leaks at valves, pipes, separators, compressors, and exhaust vents on tanks release hydrocarbons into the atmosphere, further contributing to ozone formation.

Studies have shown that emissions from shale areas, such as the Bakken in North Dakota, have led to a significant increase in atmospheric ethane in the Northern Hemisphere since the fracking boom. Similarly, research on the Eagle Ford shale in south-central Texas suggests that hydrocarbon emissions are higher than previously estimated, increasing the potential for regional ozone formation.

The impact of these emissions on ozone levels is significant. For example, in San Antonio, downwind of the Eagle Ford shale, ozone levels have been trending close to the old threshold of 75 parts per billion, despite the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard being lowered to 70 parts per billion. This has led to a renewed focus on regulating and controlling emissions from the oil and gas industry to address the ozone problem.

Methane, a greenhouse gas, is leaked during fracking and has a high heat-trapping potential

Fracking is a highly controversial process due to its environmental and health impacts. Natural gas is primarily made up of methane, which is released during venting operations or leaks. Methane is a greenhouse gas with a high heat-trapping potential, and it is leaked during fracking.

Methane is a significant contributor to global warming and climate change. It has a much higher heat-trapping potential than carbon dioxide, with a greater capacity to trap heat over its lifetime. Research has shown that about 3.6 to 7.9% of methane is leaked into the atmosphere during the service life of a high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) well. This is a concerning issue as methane leaks have a substantial impact on the environment.

The process of fracking involves drilling and bringing gas to market, which results in the release of toxic chemicals and gases that increase global warming. A study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2012 found high rates of methane leakage from natural gas fields, with findings of 9% methane leakage, more than doubling previous estimates. These emissions vitiate any potential climate benefits of natural gas, even when compared to coal.

Furthermore, methane leaks during fracking operations can cause immediate health risks to nearby communities. Methane can lead to oxygen deprivation and act as an asphyxiant at high concentrations. It is also flammable and highly explosive, posing significant safety hazards.

The release of methane during fracking has far-reaching consequences, contributing to global warming and posing immediate health risks to those living in close proximity to fracking sites. It is important to recognize the impact of methane leaks during fracking and to implement measures to reduce these emissions to mitigate their environmental and health effects.

Particulate matter is stirred up by construction activity during fracking

The process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals into horizontally drilled wells, forcing shale rock to crack and release natural gas or oil. This process has been credited with making the United States the global leader in natural gas and crude oil production. However, it has also been linked to adverse environmental and health effects, including air pollution.

Air pollution from fracking is caused by the release of toxic chemicals and gases during the drilling and extraction processes. One of the main pollutants released during fracking is methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The release of methane into the atmosphere has been found to negate any climate benefits of natural gas over other fossil fuels like coal.

In addition to methane, fracking releases other toxic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and other hydrocarbons. These compounds form smog and ozone, which can cause respiratory issues and other health problems for people living nearby. The burning off, or flaring, of excess natural gas, as well as the operation of heavy equipment and diesel trucks at well sites, further contribute to air pollution.

Particulate matter, or fine dust particles, is one of the key air pollutants associated with fracking. This particulate matter is stirred up by the heavy construction activity that takes place during the setting up and maintaining of well sites. The construction of wells involves significant earthworks, including the transportation of thousands of tons of frac sand, equipment, and chemicals to the well pads. This activity disturbs the soil and generates dust, which becomes airborne and contributes to air pollution.

The particulate matter stirred up during construction can react with volatile organic compounds, leading to the formation of smog. Additionally, diesel exhaust from the trucks and equipment used in construction can emit sulfur dioxide (SO2), which also contributes to particulate pollution. SO2 can damage lungs, cause respiratory illness, heart conditions, and even premature death.

The health impacts of air pollution from fracking are significant. Studies have linked proximity to oil and gas wells with various adverse health outcomes, including respiratory disease, neurological problems, birth defects, and cancer. The release of toxic chemicals and particulate matter during construction and drilling activities exacerbates these issues, underscoring the need for comprehensive health impact assessments and stricter regulations to protect communities near fracking sites.

Flaring, or burning gas, releases sulfur dioxide, which can cause respiratory illness

Flaring, or burning gas, is a common practice in gas drilling operations, particularly when dealing with gas that poses a safety hazard or is uneconomical to collect and sell. While this process is necessary in certain situations, it comes at a cost to the environment and public health due to the release of sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Sulfur dioxide is a harmful air pollutant that is released during flaring or when gas is burned. It reacts with other chemicals, particularly during well construction, to form particulate pollution, which consists of dust or soil suspended in the air. This particulate pollution poses a serious health risk to individuals, especially those living or working near gas drilling sites.

The dangers of sulfur dioxide exposure are primarily associated with its impact on respiratory health. Sulfur dioxide can cause a range of respiratory issues, including lung damage, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other respiratory illnesses. Long-term exposure to high levels of sulfur dioxide increases respiratory symptoms and impairs lung function over time. This is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, and people with asthma, who may experience even greater difficulties in breathing when active outdoors.

Additionally, sulfur dioxide emissions contribute to the formation of smog, which can affect communities within a wide radius of gas production activity due to its ability to travel through air currents. The resulting light and noise from flaring can also lead to sleep deprivation for nearby residents, further compounding the negative impacts on their health and well-being.

It is important to recognize that the release of sulfur dioxide through flaring is just one aspect of air pollution associated with gas fracking. Other pollutants, such as methane, benzene, and ozone, are also emitted during the fracking process, contributing to a complex mixture of contaminants that can have both short-term and long-term health effects on exposed individuals.

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