Essay On The Economic And Environmental Effects Of Fracking

Analysis of the Economic & Environmental Effects of Fracking Introduction Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of extracting natural gas from shale rock. Fracking allows the world to retain natural gas from depths that were deemed unreachable by conventional technology. Recent advancements in Fracking technology have propelled America to the forefront of natural gas extraction. By this method, the shale rock is punctured with a high pressure fluid, causing it to rupture and allow the movement of petroleum and brine. After the fluid fractures the rock, the pressure is removed as well, and small pieces of aluminum oxide (hydraulic fluid) hold the fractures open. The shale rock, permeable to all natural gases, then is
Fracking contaminates the drinking water in the proximity of the Fracking plant. Fracking also pollutes the air with methane, exposes people to toxic chemicals and has an impact on the climate. Fracking increases of risks of babies born with low birth weight by more than half, these numbers are comparable to the Chernobyl disasters. Fracking produces an extreme amount of waste that taints the area in which it is disposed. Fracking is also an extremely dangerous job, as there are over 50 onsite deaths per year. Fracking employees are also vulnerable to many diseases due to the chemicals used in fracking. A study shows, Air sampling results show that the majority of silica levels at hydraulic fracturing sites were above the Occupational Safety and Health Administration allowable standard and 84% were above Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new proposed standard. These exposure levels put workers, particularly sand mover operators and T-belt operators who had the highest levels, at risk of silicosis and the other silica-related conditions6. Countries7 all over the world have banned this extraction practice, and even certain districts8 within the US have banned