Argument against Fracking

I understand that hydraulic fracturing holds possibilities for many more jobs, tax revenue, and greater energy security. In a country that has had a terrible economy for years, it is reasonable for Americans to feel that fracking would be beneficial to them. Landowners and energy companies would make money from hydraulic fracturing. It would also create jobs for welders, drillers, chemists, and mechanics. New York could potentially drill four hundred wells per county and raise incomes by over $6-8 billion. Massive quantities of oil and clean-burning natural gas would improve our countries energy security and our ability to generate electricity, power vehicles, and heat homes for years to come. Although fracking presents us with these benefits, I believe that the negative impacts outweighs the increase of resources and revenue.
In order for fracking to be successful, millions of gallons of water are needed. The need for this much water is depleting our fresh water supply. Up to six hundred different chemicals are used in fracking, most of which are very toxic, including uranium, mercury, formaldehyde and ethylene. A lot of this now toxic water stays underground and could potentially contaminate a necessary resource, our water supply. Some of the chemicals used have been known to cause infertility, autism, ADHD, diabetes and thyroid disorders. (“Fracking Air Pollution”) It is obvious that many other health risks may arise as a result of fracking.
Fracturing fluid chemicals, contaminated wastewater, and radioactive material could leak or spill from well heads, flow lines, tanks, trucks, and pits and cause contamination. For example, there has been reports of possible groundwater contamination in Colorado as a result of fracking. (J. Colson) There are records of earthquakes that have caused property damage in Ohio due to the pressure levels in the wells. (John Upton) Areas of gas production have also noticed significant increases in smog caused by chemical