With reserves in 31 states, the US has a supply of natural gas large enough to provide the country with energy for decades (“Gas Drilling: The Story So Far”). Access to these vast deposits is helping to significantly decrease the United States’ reliance on foreign energy, as we have recently become the largest natural gas producer worldwide (“Hydraulic Fracturing Natural Gas and Oil Development”). In addition to abundance, natural gas has several other benefits as well. Natural gas emits only half as much carbon dioxide when burned than coal does, and currently the cost per unit is only one third that of oil, giving it some clear advantages over other widely used fossil fuels (Harvey, Hal). As stated by chairman of BP Capital T. Boone …show more content…
Many of the additives on this list are known toxins, carcinogens, and volatile organic compounds that are recognized for their ability to cause harm in the human body (Lustgarten, Abraham). Colborn and her co-authors went a step further to evaluate every chemical on the list in terms of health effects, and the results were alarming. Although the effects were detrimental across the board, Colborn found 71 chemicals that were associated with causing harm in 10 or more areas, including the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and reproductive systems. What is even more concerning is that companies find a way to justify their use of harmful substances by claiming that they make up only a small fraction of the injected fluid; less than one percent. However, experts like Colborn believe that even a seemingly small percentage translates to tens of thousands of gallons of these chemicals being pumped underground, and their research shows that even very low doses of the compounds can cause significant damage (Lustgarten, Abraham). One of the most prominent concerns regarding the toxicity of chemical additives lies in the threat of groundwater contamination. Although a 2004 EPA study concluded that fracking poses no threat to drinking water, the rising
The mismanagement of the practice has the potential to create environmental damage such as water contamination, radioactive spills, and increased seismic activity that could cost thousands in dollars in damage. Furthermore, the unintended consequences of fracking can have detrimental effects on the environmental. The potential for water contamination can pose both an immediate and long term risk to environmental stability, including landscape distortion, inhabitability and ecological displacement. This contamination of drinking water can also be detrimental to the human environment, limiting the amount of safe water available for both the residential and commercial human environment. With the increase of fracking, the level of disapproval for the practice has only mounted. Concerns including overconsumption of
Researchers say they found elevated levels of these chemicals, known as endocrine disrupting chemicals, in surface water and groundwater samples collected in the state's Garfield County where more than 10,000 gas wells exist (Mosbergen, 2013). A single well requires up to 7 million gallons of water, plus an additional 400,000 gallons of additives. These additives include lubricants, biocides, scale and rust inhibitors, solvents, foaming and de-foaming agents, emulsifiers and de-emulsifiers, stabilizers and breakers (Royte, 2012). At almost every stage of developing and operating an oil or gas well, chemicals can be introduced into the environment. While many people get sick from drinking water that turns out to be contaminated by fracking, cancer has not been proven to be caused by this but people living near a fracking well have been more likely to get
Few issues have recently gotten as much attention as the energy extraction activities involving a controversial procedure called "fracking." As reports of drinking water becoming tainted with fracking fluid flood the news, both oil and gas companies as well as environmental groups are presenting competing "facts" about the effects of drilling on ground water.
Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) is the process of drilling into the ground and pumping sand, water, and fracking fluid at high pressures in order to extract natural shale gas that was previously unattainable. This process comes with environmental issues: the chemicals from the fracking fluid can contaminate nearby drinking water wells and harm the citizens of that area. Despite the fact that there have been several contaminated drinking water cases reported, there is little being done about this matter. This paper analyzes the available research that asserts why fracking is a dangerous process that should be banned immediately. The intended audience is my peers and instructor, as well as anyone interested in the debacle of fracking-caused water contamination that may come across this piece. As you are reading, I ask that you keep in mind that this is a very perplexing issue that has not been given much of an opportunity for true research and investigation. Therefore, the data discussed has not been officially proven or disproven to be directly related in every way to local fracking. However, the research gathered on the proposed danger of the Hydraulic Fracturing process is solely based on science that has already been proven as well as documented illnesses and symptoms from residents and contractors around or near fracking operation sites.
Fracking is proven to cause environmental contamination.Numerous reports have suggested that fracking techniques have caused water contamination. Methane gas, uranium, mercury ,and toxic chemicals such as lead leak out of the hydraulic fracturing system. And contaminates nearby groundwater. This water is used in the nearby cities and towns. Recent studies have shown, that 1,000 documented cases of water contamination were close to fracking sites. Although, the techniques that fracking uses are
Following the release of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft report on their study of the effects of the fracking industry to ground water, the New York Times published the article titled “Fracking has not had a big effect on water supply, EPA says while noting risks.” The article conveys to the readers on the release of the study and gives opinions of the report’s findings from both sides of the fracking debate. In order to review the content of the article, the specifics presented in the article were compared to those cited in “Hydraulic fracturing: a toxicological threat for groundwater and drinking-water?” by Gordalla et al. This scientific paper had been released two years before the EPA’s report and had also assed the
W hy does everyone care so much about natural gas? Why is it such an essential part of modern culture? Sure, it's an exciting and up and coming technology, which is fuel for the technological generation that we've grown up in, but we need to take a closer look to see the methods and impacts that could affect generations after us.
These environmental and social harms develop because the oil and gas industries and the Native nations' governments externalize costs of environmental and social protections onto the public in order to reap the benefits of saved costs” all the harm to our water is real and only we the consumers can stop it..The U.S is a high user of fracking methods as it is the cheaper version to achieve natural gas . According to Shale gas and fracking: The Science Behind the Controversy, that number almost doubled to 510,000, by 2010. Each year about 13,000 new wells are drilled near safe drinking water and a study released in 2011 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency that some drinking water that comes up from shallow wells near hydrofracking drilling sites in Pennsylvania had about 17 times as methane as those far away from drilling. Imagine the danger that this water can cause to people, one always thinks that natural water is good for use and that the government will not let companies contaminate our limited water
Another reason why the United States must make fracking illegal is because it can have a negative effect on water sources. During fracking, the fluid, which consists of over 596 toxic chemicals, is pumped into the ground, soon after, once all of the gas is extracted from the operation, some of that fluid stays deep underground, and becomes increasingly toxic as it comes picks up radioactivity, or other underground contaminants (White). These fluids can sink into aquifers and turn water into a noxious mix, even the water that comes back up is almost untreatable after coming in contact with these chemicals (Griswold). Although the dangers are well known, it is no surprise that water sources have already been contaminated due to inattentiveness.
“Fracking chemicals damage fertility and cause birth defects. A recent study suggests of the 750 plus chemicals used in fracking, over 130 are endocrine disruptors. Once in the body, these toxins have been linked to fertility issues in men and women as well as birth defects” (Group). These chemicals can be put into the water supply, Without any knowingness of it if not frequently checked.
Toxic chemicals used in fracking need to be disclosed to allow for better monitoring and regulations. Drilling operations use chemicals in their water to allow for better flow and to obtain natural gas. These chemicals can be carcinogenic and need to be disclosed to the public so people know what is being used and injected into the ground (“Serious Risks of Fracking”). The chemicals used in fracking are toxic and need to be disposed of safely. Regulations on waste disposal also need to be updated to keep up with the gas and oil industry (“Fracking”). Toxic chemicals used in fracking can also leak and pollute the air which can cause difficulty breathing and severe headaches. The methane that is also extracted can leak and
A major EPA study that was released in 2015 found that fracking might at least have the potential to contaminate drinking water. The study also identified the greatest risks to drinking water from fracking which included spills, water withdrawals, wastewater releases, and the migration of gas and oil underground (Shogren 2015). The study found no evidence though, that “widespread” pollution of drinking water has happened as a result of these drilling techniques. The EPA however, conceded that the lack of sufficient scientific research may explain why the agency failed to find any widespread impacts (Shogren 2015). So the trend of inaction continues, in the name of
* Even fluid get into aquifer, it is not as toxic as other wastewater discarded from other daily activities. EPA claimed the fracking process is safe.
Does fracking pollute the water of surrounding water systems to unsafe levels for human consumption? These areas will be explored throughout this document.
The importance of natural gas is to replace the role of oil in the economy. Natural gas is good for the US because it can produce natural gas domestically. It has plenty of energy for use in people’s homes and in industry. It will help the US economy cope with the depletion of peak oil production. Crude oil is nearly three times as expensive as Natural gas. (Pipeline, 2009-2013)