Fracking, otherwise known as hydraulic fracturing, is the process of sending pressurized liquids into the ground to get fuels such as natural gas and petroleum. While this method of getting fuels may sound fine, it is a health hazard to both humans and the environment.
Fracking requires many resources to create the pressurized liquids that are sent into the ground. There is more input of water and chemicals/sand that are used to create the liquid than the output of fuels that are obtained through fracking. Fracking is a waste of resources that could be used to find other ways of getting energy. One of the big problems with fracking is that after the fluid is injected into the ground to break into the reservoirs of fuel, most of the liquid is left in the ground. The remaining liquid can leak into groundwater and contaminate it. This causes problems for cities and towns that use water from a groundwater source. Not only does fracking cause problems underground, but above the surface as well. Fracking is known to cause air pollution after liquids have been ejected from the well (Remaining liquids on ground level contaminating ozone and air). Fracking is also known to cause earthquakes due to the pressure and breaking of shale rocks underground.
Energy companies view fracking as a very economic and efficient way of getting fuel. Others concerned with public health and safety would disagree due to the potential risks of negative consequences that may come with fracking. Some chemicals in fracking fluid include benzene, toluene, napthalene, and xylene, all of which are carcinogens (chemicals that are capable of causing cancer in living tissue). Possible and active fracking sites are most prevalent in the states of New York, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio while accidents happen the in the state of Pennsylvania more than any other state. Why risk human health and safety for fuel?
Fracking has been a source of fuel for the United States. It is indeed a convenient for us to draw out from our own gas wells instead of importing from other countries due to expenses. This, however, should not be a refutation to continue fracking practices. Saudi Arabia has been trying to lower prices for crude oil in order to keep OPEC in power in global energy markets. Not only does fracking effect the environment of the United States, but also the economies and trade efforts of other countries.
With so many alternative fuels in the world, fracking practices can be replaced and stopped. Energy sources are bountiful in the natural world. Renewable resources are easy solutions to the problems with fossil fuels today. While renewable resources do not give as much power, time is needed to develop technology to make the use of renewable energy better. Everything has to start from somewhere.
Fracking is on the rise. It’s a booming industry in the United States today. While fracking provides fuel that does not have to be imported, it is coming at the cost of the environment and health hazards for humans. Fracking is so much on the rise that even other countries are lowering their prices for crude oil so that they may stay in the energy markets. Is the pollution that is done to water and air worth the natural gas? Is the amount of resources spent on fracking liquid worth the output of fuel? The contamination of water aquifers and reservoirs as well as air directly impacts those near the wells and sites of fracking. Human safety or natural gas?
“Fracking Across the United States.”Earthjustice. 12 Apr. 2011. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. <http://earthjustice.org/features/campaigns/fracking-across-the-united-states>.
“EARTHWORKS.” EARTHWORKS. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. <http://www.earthworksaction.org/issues/detail/hydraulic_fracturing_101#.VJO9-l4AKA>..
Fracking 