Community & Fracking: The Great Divide Analysis

Fracking is short for hydraulic fracturing, a type of drilling used by oil companies to tap the valuable oil veins located miles below the earth’s surface. Fracking has been the subject of discussion for some time now, not necessarily for its effectiveness, but for its effect on the environment. Fracking has been known to release methane gas into the atmosphere; methane gas is a greenhouse gas and along with gasses like CO2 is one of the gasses that contributes to the warming of the planet. In Louis W. Allstadt’s article “Fracking Contributes to Global Warming” he states that, “methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas in the short term-less

The PR firms expound the virtues of natural gas and would have us to believe “the negative side-effects caused by fracking are insignificant” (Larson 2). They rattle off information on how natural gas is a clean burning source of energy and how it is now responsible for 30% of electricity production, as well as heating in half of the homes in U.S.; therefore lessening our dependency on foreign suppliers. All positives attributes, granted, but at the end of the day fracking is a business; big business whose primary focus is keeping their shareholders happy with increase revenue. Unfortunately in their quest to make the almighty dollar, they are putting human lives as well as the environment at risk with the use of chemicals that are toxic, some are known carcinogens. To add insult to injury, the government, who is supposed to protect the interests of all, as opposed to the interests of a few, granted the energy companies an exemption from the laws meant to provide protection to humans as well as two irreplaceable resources, water and air. Granting this exemption is a clear indication that public health and the preservation of local ecology were less of a priority than making a profit.

Hydraulic fracking has been known to release ‘more than 650 chemicals”( source 3), because of this people who are living ‘near these wells fear their health may be harmed” ( source 3). Even though hydraulic fracking has not caused any known health problems there is still the threat that could come soon when more and more well build up. This could also harm the wildlife and could cause their habitat to be destroyed.

One of the most common arguments against fracking is that fracking should be banned being that it causes harmful effects on the human body. During the process of fracking, chemicals and methane gas are leaked out of the system and contaminate nearby groundwater. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fact that their water has been contaminated so they end up drinking it and causes them to become ill. Due to people drinking this contaminated groundwater, “There have been over 1,000 documented cases of water contamination next to areas of gas drilling as well as cases of sensory, respiratory, and neurological damage due to ingested contaminated water” (“What Goes”). Exposure of fracking chemicals to humans can also causes reproductive issues. Out of the hundreds of chemicals used in fracking, “20 to 30% cause reproductive, mutagenic, or cancerous

Fracking explained: opportunity or danger. YouTube. N.p., 3 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. .

With the proliferation of fracking in the United States and its impact on so many different aspects of society from environmental to health and economic impact, it is an important topic that demands more research and along with more community awareness. Another aspect of fracking that is discussed much less than the environmental and public health aspects is that the people that benefit most from the fracking industry usually white affluent individuals do not live in the area that drilling process or waste disposal process happens (Johnston, J. j., Werder, E., & Sebastian, D. (2016). It is also important to keep in mind how the elites of society are able to mold and manipulate public opinion to suit their needs (Davis, C., & Fisk, J. M. (2014). It has been shown how persistent opinions from elites and media messages can sway public opinion in whichever direction they choose (Davis, C., & Fisk, J. M. (2014). This paper demonstrates how the fracking industry not only poisons the environment it poisons communities through creating conflict and negative public health issues.

“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.

fracking as, “Good News for America’s Economy”, however some claim this method is dangerous, environmentally destructive, and unreliable. Fracking exists in 32 states, and the industry is still growing. This method can retrieve gallons of shale gas quickly, unfortunately, it can cause water contamination. Supporters view fracking as an productive way to retrieve natural gases, while opponents view it as a danger, due to of possible health implications. Fracking is a well controlled way to extract natural gases and fossil fuels however ,there are concerns.

Fracking negatively impacts environmental health the most. By using the process of fracking to reach natural gas, fracking induced earthquakes have occurred in states such as Oklahoma. Also, scarred earth and rock are left behind from fracking companies and wells, damaging the earth. Finally, water pollution and waste is a common result of fracking. One example of water pollution, is methane gas, which is commonly used in fracking, has been found in tap water in areas near fracking wells. Moreover, chemical traces are left in underground water sources.

The greatest environmental hazard of fracking proves to be the use of toxic chemicals. This happens because oil and gas industries are not required to disclose what chemicals they use when fracking. Some chemicals that scientists have discovered in fracking mixtures include Methanol, 2-Butoxyethanol and sodium chloride. These chemicals all have dangerous side effects if consumed. Humans are not the only species harmed by these effects. Even small amounts of sodium chloride in freshwater bodies such as

Water droughts are also a concern as many of the places where hydraulic fracturing is used have water drought and because of the huge amount of water used to recover natural gas and oil this can lead to increases in water droughts.There is concern about increased pollution to the water and air in those surrounding areas where fracking takes place. It is also known that there is an increased presence of toxins in the water supply in the areas surrounding. The toxins are released into the air and cause an increase in air pollution. 10-40 % of the fracking wastewater is comes back into the original drilling hole and this can cause long term consequences such as ground water supplies becoming

Some of the negative effects are health issues and earthquakes. While the fracking takes place poison gas, and chemicals get out and contaminates the nearby water. That same water is used for drinking, bathing, cleaning in the surrounding communities (Loki). "There have been over 1,000 documented cases of water contamination near fracking areas as well as cases of sensory, respiratory and neurological damage due to ingested contaminated water"(Loki). The water used during the fracking process is taken out of the water cycle because most of the water will not be seen again. This is not good news for states that have droughts. Since people use water in the fracking process they are getting rid of the water causing water prices to go up

Under the vast umbrella of social justice issues, hydraulic fracturing has recently caught captured my interest and concern. The issue of fracking is concerning from both an environmental and public health perspective. Fracking is believed to release methane, requires massive amounts of water, and releases chemicals in dangerous amounts. Even more concerning, however, is how the issue is being presented to the public. This past June, the EPA released what is being called a “landmark” study of fracking and its impacts on drinking water resources. Many media outlets left out critical information and several mitigating factors that resulted in the neutering of the study and its true findings. The outcome was Americans being lead to believe that

Hydraulic fracturing has numerous negative effects on Oklahoma. A nearly unavoidable byproduct of fracking that cannot be ignored is the pollution that stems from it. During the fracking process, a portion of the methane produced, which is shown to trap heat twenty-five times more effectively than carbon dioxide, another common greenhouse gas, escapes into the atmosphere as it is brought to the surface (Hoffman). Studies conducted in Weld County, Colorado, which has a comparable number of fracking wells to many places in Oklahoma; show that this loose methane is the equivalent of the carbon emissions of nearly three million cars (Hoffman). Furthermore, fracking has been shown to release large amounts of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide into the air, which are two of the main components of smog (Hoffman). Even in places such as

The widespread damage of fracking is starting to become transparent. Even though natural gas is said to burn cleaner than coal, the emission of methane into earth’s atmosphere by the natural gas industry continues to rise. Air quality is a very important thing and many have been responsible and caring enough to aid in protecting our planet. Fracking on the other hand has caused mass air pollution not only to our planet’s atmosphere, but also in and around the fracking site itself. The large equipment involved in fracking can create quite a bit of air pollution. Certain ozone depleting gases are often released by the large engines that drive the drills and help pump the gas through the well. Not only can they be detrimental to the ozone, but also to ecosystems and food supply. Methane is the most detrimental gas emission to the earth’s atmosphere and fracking produces most of it. Methane is considered a greenhouse gas similar to carbon dioxide. There are also other gases emitted from fracking wells that are considered hazards by the EPA, including but not limited to, hydrogen sulfide, benzene, ethylene glycol and various others. Fracking sites can release many toxic emissions if not thoroughly monitored and controlled but there is a way to capture these emissions and its being called a green completion. Once captured, these certain gases can sometimes be sold or disposed of. The equipment that captures the gases has