Hydrofracking Research Paper
Hydrofracking is a new development in natural gas extraction. In addition, hydrofracking refers to hydraulic fracturing, a technique in which large amounts of water, combined with smaller amounts of chemicals and sand, are pumped under high pressure into a drilled gas well. However, concerns have been raised regarding with this is the fact that the drills can hit water sources and contaminate our water. Between hitting water sources and releasing greenhouse gasses, the process of hydraulic fracturing can be and often is harmful to both our environment and health.
In addition, human exposure to fracking chemicals can occur by absorbing chemicals that have spilled and entered drinking water sources, through direct skin contact with the chemicals.
On the other hand, as mentioned in the article, many companies are assuring us they these chemicals are used in “small amounts”. However, “small amount” is generally unspecific, and some of these chemicals are harmful at any level of exposure.
In my opinion, there are a few issues and impacts to this technique such as: water use, health concerns, air quality, waste disposal and toxic chemicals. Furthermore, the extraction of so much water for fracking has raised concerns about the ecological impacts to aquatic resources, as well as dewatering of drinking water aquifers. According to an author, Colborn (2010) shows that health effects were broken into 12 categories: skin, eye and sensory organ, respiratory, gastrointestinal and liver, brain and nervous system, immune, kidney, cardiovascular and blood, cancer, mutagenic, endocrine disruption, other, and ecological effects. As mentioned above, a simple direct skin contact with the chemicals can lead to any of these health effects.
Regarding the air quality, in many oil and gas producing regions, there has been a degradation of air quality as drilling increases. For example, in Texas, high levels of benzene have been measured in the air near wells in the Barnett Shale gas fields.
As mentioned above, toxic chemicals are used during hydraulic fracturing operations. The same chemicals that are injected come back to the surface in the flowed-back wastes. Regardless the benefits of hydrofracking we should all be more aware of the impacts of this technique.
In conclusion, there are a number of laws and regulations that have to do with hydrofracking, but not enough to be sufficiently regulating it. And most importantly, all of these regulations vary from state to state.
In addition, human exposure to fracking chemicals can occur by absorbing chemicals that have spilled and entered drinking water sources, through direct skin contact with the chemicals.
On the other hand, as mentioned in the article, many companies are assuring us they these chemicals are used in “small amounts”. However, “small amount” is generally unspecific, and some of these chemicals are harmful at any level of exposure.
In my opinion, there are a few issues and impacts to this technique such as: water use, health concerns, air quality, waste disposal and toxic chemicals. Furthermore, the extraction of so much water for fracking has raised concerns about the ecological impacts to aquatic resources, as well as dewatering of drinking water aquifers. According to an author, Colborn (2010) shows that health effects were broken into 12 categories: skin, eye and sensory organ, respiratory, gastrointestinal and liver, brain and nervous system, immune, kidney, cardiovascular and blood, cancer, mutagenic, endocrine disruption, other, and ecological effects. As mentioned above, a simple direct skin contact with the chemicals can lead to any of these health effects.
Regarding the air quality, in many oil and gas producing regions, there has been a degradation of air quality as drilling increases. For example, in Texas, high levels of benzene have been measured in the air near wells in the Barnett Shale gas fields.
As mentioned above, toxic chemicals are used during hydraulic fracturing operations. The same chemicals that are injected come back to the surface in the flowed-back wastes. Regardless the benefits of hydrofracking we should all be more aware of the impacts of this technique.
In conclusion, there are a number of laws and regulations that have to do with hydrofracking, but not enough to be sufficiently regulating it. And most importantly, all of these regulations vary from state to state.