the society represented in both the books, Animal Farm and Erewhon. during the height of those in power presents an example of a dystopia. Unconventional oil and gas operations mix directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' to unleash fossil fuel and oil from underground rock. Studies have targeted on potential pollution from this method that will increase endocrine disrupting chemicals in surface and ground water. Now, researchers report high levels of EDC activity within the surface water close to a hydraulic fracturing wastewater disposal facility in West Virginia. A question has risen whether there is an increased risk of diseases for the populations living near these operations. A warning has been given by the scientists
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
People living near HF [Hydraulic Fracturing] sites experienced negative health effects due to contaminated water. The health effects included burning of the nose, throat, and eyes; headaches; as well as neurological, dermatological (rashes), vascular (nosebleeds), sensory, immunological, urological, and gastrointestinal (vomiting, diarrhea) issues. The exposure occurred when contaminated well or spring water was used for drinking, cooking, showering, and bathing (par.
The issue of whether we should continue fracking without research has been widely debated around the world. The issue is important because it has fundamental environmental concerns and economic questions about the process of hydraulic fracturing. “Fracking” is the process of penetrating down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is absorbed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand, and chemicals are then inserted into the rock with compression which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well. Fracking fluid, which can be polluted with heavy metals like arsenic, known human carcinogens, has seeped into local waterways and polluted groundwater. People who live near fracking wells have a heightened danger of developing cancer, asthma, and other serious ailments associated with inhaling or ingesting the toxic chemicals involved in the fracking process. Countries approach fracking and researching much differently from each other. The injection of fluid into shale beds at high pressure to extract petroleum resources has been happening across the United States of America at rapid pace. By 2003, a gigantic public relations campaign was launched to lobby Congress to pass what is
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.
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.
“DEC 's own review identified dozens of potential significant adverse impacts of (fracking)” (Krisberg 18). There are some potential impacts in the fracking process, it will bring a lot of health risks to people. The major constituents of produced water are salt content, oil and grease, various inorganic and organic chemicals, and naturally occurring radioactive material. Salt content in produced water makes the freshwater to salt levels up higher than seawater. Oil and grease makes freshwater is getting oily. Various inorganic and organic chemicals are found naturally in the formation or are chemical additives used during drilling and operation of the well, such as benzene and methane. “Many of the fracking additives are toxic, carcinogenic or mutagenic” (Howarth, Ingraffea 272). This quote tells us that why fracking is contaminating the drinking water. Benzene are one major concern. “The state of Texas reports benzene concentrations in air in the Barnett shale area that sometimes exceed acute toxicity standards” (Howarth, Ingraffea 273). It shows benzene makes drinking water is getting contaminated. “Methane contamination of drinking water reservoirs has been documented in fracking-rich areas of the US. Leading to dramatic videos of seemingly ignitable tap water” (Benusic, 238). This quote tells us that the drinking water is getting contaminated by Methane is proved already. Radioactive material in
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.
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 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
The Gordalla et al paper is a toxicology study of the constituents of fracking fluids and flow back water and its impact on drinking-water wells. Data used in the study is based from ExxonMobil drilling sites in northern Germany. The paper relates to the New York Times article as they both tackle the question of the impacts of fracking on groundwater. The paper lists down the different chemicals used in fracking-fluid and ranks them by their projected
Since the development of this modern deep earth fracking technology, many scientists, environmentalists and health advocates have shown a concern for the health effects the method has on the surrounding regions. Current evidence shows that fracking is a high-risk method of drilling, particularly
Fracking poses a lot of dangers to human and animal health. When I discovered that Big Oil is attempting to establish drilling locations near my hometown of Sacramento I was a bit disturbed. The negative effects of fracking on humans were even observed in a study done in Pennsylvania. The study showed that of the 41 products used in fracturing operations, “73% had between 6 and 14 different adverse health effects” (Mitka 2012). The adverse effects on humans included skin, eye and sensory organ damage, Respiratory distress, gastrointestinal tract and liver disease, brain and nervous system harms, cancers, and problems with reproduction. Many of these adverse effects are
Illness and disease around wells is unfortunately common as a result of the following. First, chemicals used can damage organs such as, lungs, brain, and ?. Second, there are health risks from air emissions produced during fracking. Third, the number of cancer patients around fracking wells increased. To protect its citizens from these illnesses and health related issues, the government should address safety by implementing the following ideal: limiting residential areas in a certain radius of fracking wells.
Both Animal Farm and Fahrenheit 451 are fictional novels in which a dystopian society exists. These societies were both created by a “central government”. When citizens of these societies fail to stand up and protect their rights, authority figures will keep increasing their level of aggressiveness until it ruptures the society. When the authorities in these novels abuse their power, it fractures the society and greatly increases corruption.
Another problem that we know exists with hydraulic fracturing is the contamination of the water, the ground, and the air around the sites (Goldman pg. 2). It has been shown that “…residents living near the hydraulic fracturing sites are increasingly worried that the drilling process might be contaminating their well water, polluting streams, and releasing toxic gases into the air (Hobson).” Water sources, as well as the soil, are often polluted from flowback fluid and from production brine (Hydro-Fracking pg.4). Flowback fluid is “the contaminated fluid that returns to the surface during the drilling process, and is estimated to be between 9% - 35% of the fluids injected during