Fracking Response

Environmental groups finally have what they have been hoping for ever since natural gas drilling began, evidence that fracking is harmful to the environment. Fracking is a technique that uses highly pressured liquid (water and other chemicals) to hydraulically fracture shale formations, creating veins that allow for the collection of vast reservoirs of natural gas. Many areas that are “fracked” soon see contaminates show up in their water resources. In Wyoming people started to see particulates in their tap water that gave the water a brown hue. Environmental researchers working with the EPA were able to link this to hydraulic fracking nearby. While this is the first proven case of contamination, many people across the country have reported contaminated water soon after natural gas wells were built near their homes. In a small town in Pennsylvania methane leakage was so bad that tap water turned flammable. Local residents were able to hold a lighter to their faucets and see their water spark. This is because of the many chemicals that are shot down wells to fracture shale. Substances such as methane and lead are sent down right below underground aquifers. Ever though there is a considerable distance between the bottom of the well and the fresh water, some of the chemicals are still able to reach the underground drinking water. Many chemicals that are used are classified as carcinogens and can be detrimental to the health of anyone that is unfortunate enough to come in contact with them. Methods and technologies that are associated with this dangerous drilling technique must be cleaned up, or abolished. There are too many people put at risk to justify drilling for natural gas. By improving drilling technology we may someday be able to harvest the Earth’s natural gas resources safely, but until then something must be done so that innocent people are not forced to suffer and the surrounding areas are not destroyed.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fracking-linked-water-contamination-federal-agency