Natural Gas Fracking

Fracking for Natural Gas In today’s global fight for the growing demand of energy and promotion of saving energy, fracking has become very controversial. The dangers to our society and health are at the forefront in conducting safer practices. To obtain the natural gas, fracking or hydraulic fracking must be conducted. Hoffman (2015) explained, “Hydrofracking is a controversial oil and gas extraction technique developed in the late 1940s to gain access to fossil energy deposits previously inaccessible to drilling operations”. The process of fracking is defined as blasting high-pressure water, sand, and chemicals deep underground, and allowing the formations to fracture. This practice releases the natural gas out of the formations and is
There were oil and other pollutants found on the surface of the Earth and were traced back to an abandoned well, which triggered an investigation. During the inspection, the investigators discovered yet another hole in the damaged well. The well was 600 feet deep located next to an aquifer used for drinking water, and contaminated supply, slated to be distributed to most of the southern state. Methane gasses released into the air are more potent than carbon dioxide. A study of the gasses released into the air found “in 31% of samples, silica concentrations exceeded the NIOSH exposure limit by a factor of 10, which means that even if workers were wearing proper respiratory equipment, they would not be adequately protected” (Hoffman, 2016, Para. 13). In 2014 the state of New York banned the use of fracking, “until there is a plan to adequately manage potential risks, high-volume hydraulic fracturing should not proceed in New York” per Finkel and Hays (2015). They went on to say, New York’s governors “decision reflects that of the majority of Americans across the country who are very concerned about high-volume hydraulic fracturing's impact on the environment, as well as on human health.” There is a need for additional methodologically sound research that quantifies the connections between the risk factors for health outcomes, especially among inhabitants living closely to fracking operations, and the
Shrope (2015) stated, “The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that by 2035 electricity production using natural gas will roughly double to meet about half the country’s electricity needs”. Do the dangers outweigh the risks when it comes to the health and safety of our environment? Researchers, the CDC, and the global environmentalist need to explore other ways of obtaining this energy. Although this innovative technology is a revolution and allowing additional energy transformations to occur, we also need to protect the health of the public and the Earth. We must closely examine policies and the risk versus benefits around fracking. Further research is suggested to analyze how we are conserving energy and the devastating effects it is leaving on our environment and our health. Finkel and Hays (2015) concluded, “There are significant uncertainties about adverse health outcomes that may be associated with high-volume hydraulic fracturing, and that should give us cause for