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Fracking as a Health and Environmental Hazard

Introduction

The process of drilling into the world's surface before water of high pressure is directed

at rocks to release natural gas which lies inside is called Fracking. The process is also referred to

as hydraulic fracturing, and the mining technique has been in existence since 1947. It has

become very common in the United States in the recent years in that many people see fracking as

one of the country's solutions for diminishing foreign oil dependence and thereby, achieving

energy independence. In several cases, small explosives are incorporated to open the bedrock

before fluids injection (Jordan). The fissures allow the oil and gas to be extracted from the rock

formations that were formerly impervious.

However, despite the independence advantage, fracking is highly controversial since it

causes significant damage to rural infrastructure, contaminates groundwater supplies and impacts

health negatively, amongst other hazardous effects (Kelly). More stringent policies need to be

passed that restrict the oil and gas excavations from several areas. The goal of this paper is to

uncover these hazardous effects of fracking and how to mitigate them. Below are some of the

impacts of fracking.

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Air Pollution

Methane has been proven to warm up the weather at least seventy times more than

carbon dioxide of an equal amount over a period of ten years. There are some other pollutants

which are exposed to the atmosphere, and they include nitrogen oxides and also carbon

monoxide amongst others. They may be exposed to various drilling procedures including

transport of the materials, an operation of the site and even disposal of the waste. (Srebotnjak).

Airborne pollutant emmissions near sites of fracking activity have been known to harm the

respiratory and immune system as well cause cancer. Also, mothers who live near many oil and

gas wells are twenty five percent more likely to conceive infants with defects of the heart. Low

birth weight and pre-term births are linked to exposure to atmospheric pollutants, including

organic compounds such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, all of which usually get

emitted during natural gas production (Ellsworth 2).

Water Pollution

Chemical additives are typically incorporated in drilling fluids and mud required for the

process of fracking. The chemicals, together with naturally occurring radioactive material,

combine to contaminate water that is stored underground. Fissures which are created by the

fracking process also develop underground pathways for dangerous equipment and chemicals all

of which quickly pollute large water bodies which could be nearby (Srebotnjak). As part of the

fracking water they ground injected, drilling companies incorporate an assortment of blends that

include chemicals that are potentially dangerous such as xylene and benzene. When the water

draws back up to the surface after use, it likely consists of a scope of likely harmful substances

(Ashby 126).

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Earthquakes

It has recently become documented that dark fracking activities have led to an increase

in seismic activity, including tremors. Also, disposal of wastewater by injection into deep wells

proposes a high risk since the venture induces more significant earthquakes. The mechanism

responsible for producing these shocks is the process of elevating fluid pressure by weakening a

preexisting fault (Ellsworth 2). The United States Geological Survey has used the earthquake

swarms phrase to describe the earthquake activity clusters caused by industrial processes in the

area of Oklahoma. The first wells were drilled in 2002, and since 2008, they have experienced

almost 200 earthquakes. Previous evidence has suggested that, after the fluid injection comes to a

halt, the induced earthquakes risk can persist for years (U. S. Government 86).

Soil and Oil Spill Contamination

According to recent findings from the Duke University, widespread soil contamination

has been caused by accidental wastewater spills from unconventional production of oil in North

Dakota. Streams polluted by the wastewater contained high levels of contaminants that exceeded

federal guidelines for safe drinking and even aquatic health (Kelly). Occurring radioactive called

radium had contaminated soil at the spill sites. It can, therefore, be proven that the contamination

is caused by the consistent fracking activities in the surrounding area. The machines performing

these events end up depositing waste to the surrounding land, and this ends up preventing the

growth of vegetation. A spill of water that is produced quickly kills a plant and sterilizes soils

(Jordan). These same contaminants that pollute the earth move down and contaminate the

groundwater, or up through the ground get released into the atmosphere.

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Health Effects of Fracking

Nitrogen oxides and organic compounds form ground-level ozone which causes

respiratory problems including shortness of breath, decreased lung function and also premature

mortality rates. The organic compounds also produce cardiovascular effects including increased

risk of heart disease and even strokes. Furthermore, those living closest to the wells can be

exposed to diesel particulate matter. As a result, this can cause them to be at risk of the nose, eye

and throat irritation plus also nervous system problems including headaches and reproductive

system effects including congenital disabilities (Kiely).

Mitigation

More tough regulations should be passed at the national level and also, violators of clean

air and water laws should be prohibited from obtaining land drilling leases from the government.

Also, there should be improved air quality monitoring before, during and after well development

(Kiely). Residents can take a step themselves and contact their environmental agency or health

department for local information regarding other pollutants and also seek information on how to

get quick treatment after pollution exposure (U. S. Government 86).

Conclusion

Through gathered evidence, it is clear that the fracking process contributes to much of the

health and environmental depreciation in a particular region. With this information at hand, the

government needs to set strict laws in the fracking process, and violators should be prosecuted

(U. S. Government 86). Where possible, ongoing unconventional oil and gas developments

should be put on hold for comprehensive health assessments to be conducted before determining

whether or how these technologies should be allowed to go on (Kelly).

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Works Cited

Ashby, Steve. "A critical aspect of environmental impact assessment of hydraulic fracking."

Meng, Qingmin. The Extractive Industries and Society. Elsevier Ltd, 2014. 121-370 .

Ellsworth, William. "Injection-Induced Earthquakes." Science (2013): 234.

Jordan, Rob. "Stanford researchers show fracking's impact on drinking water sources." 29 March

2016. http://news.stanford.edu. <http://news.stanford.edu/2016/03/29/pavillion-fracking-

water-032916/>.

Kelly, Daniel. "Soil, Water Contamination In North Dakota From Fracking Spills." 12 May

2016. http://www.fondriest.com. <http://www.fondriest.com/news/soil-water-

contamination-north-dakota-fracking-spills.htm>.

Kiely, Kate. "Six Major Health Threats from Fracking-Related Air Pollution." 14 December

2014. https://www.nrdc.org. <https://www.nrdc.org/media/2014/141216>.

Landman, Anne. "Study Links Heart Defects in Babies to Gas Drilling ." 4 February 2014.

desmogblog.com. <http://www.desmogblog.com/2014/02/04/study-links-gas-drilling-

heart-defects-babies>.

Srebotnjak, T. Fracking Fumes: Air Pollution from Hydraulic Fracturing Threatens Public Health

and Communities. 12 December 2014.

U. S. Government, Department Of Interior, U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). 2015 Guide to

Earthquakes and Fracking, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Shale Gas - New USGS Report,

Incorporating Induced Seismicity in Seismic Hazard Model. CreateSpace Independent

Publishing Platform, 2015.

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