In order to operate, the fracking process not only demands millions of gallons of a water and sand slurry, every single day, for every single well, but also requires the use of potentially harmful chemical additives that may have serious health implications for people located in the vicinity of an active fracking well.
However, these chemical components play an integral and irreplaceable role; including the prevention of scale or bacterial growth and for lubrication during the drilling process. Although exact chemical composition may vary between companies and drilling sites, a list of the routinely included chemical additives is included in the link below, taken from the FracFocus website (http://fracfocus.org/chemical-use/what-chemicals-are-used).
Fracking fluid comprises 99% water and 1% chemical additives. To the untrained eye, this may appear to be an insignificant volume. However, the 'chemical additives' are known- amongst other nasty things- to contain carcinogens, Volatile Organic Carbons (VOC's) and toxic heavy metals...It may therefore surprise you to hear that in certain parts of the USA fracking companies are under no legal obligation to release the chemical concoction that is pumped into the ground!
The Department of Energy released its 90-day report (http://www.shalegas.energy.gov/resources/081111_90_day_report.pdf) on the use of hydraulic fracturing; amongst other things mentioned the report, the SEAB highlight the need for transparency from the energy companies regarding the use of potentially harmful chemicals.
FracFocus ( http://fracfocus.org/) operated by The Groundwater Protection Council (http://www.gwpc.org/) is a website designated to the voluntary disclosure by fracking companies of such information. Companies, such as Exxon have done this in a bid to improve the public image of fracking.
The report, and most literature on the subject, suggests that the risks of contamination to drinking water is low as fracking wells are located at substantially deeper depths in the Earth's crust than the shallow aquifers used for potable water supplies. (http://pffacts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/preliminary-results-fracking-chemicals.html).
Once again, there is a whole load of contradictory information both in the media and scientific literature. It seems that no-one can quite decide... Over the next few posts I will explore some of the issues associated with this topic, including:
- the potential for aquifer contamination
- case studies of locals apparently affected by chemical contamination
- the need for 'best practice' regulations and constant monitoring of well sites
For more information, visit this informative blog: (http://www.exxonmobilperspectives.com/2011/08/25/fracking-fluid-disclosure-why-its-important-2/)
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