Natural Gas Fracking: Hydraulic Fracturing

Introduction Hydraulic Fracturing, commonly called hydrofracking or fracking is the process of drilling holes deep into the ground and pushing enormous amounts of water, sand, and chemicals into the holes to break up sedimentary rock in order for natural gas to escape (CDC, 2012). Moreover, hydraulic fracturing impacts the environment by contaminating the ground water, and affects the health of people, especially the workers that retrieve the natural gas and the animals living in towns that have natural gas drilling (CDC, 2012). The documentary Gasland on YouTube shows the damages of natural gas drilling caused by fracking companies which pollute the groundwater and ignore the dangers that people living next to drilling

For instance, the stoves we use to cook our food run on gas, so does the heat water for our daily showers. In addition, to dry our clothes we use natural gas and for cars owners, we use gas or diesel to get from point a to point b. The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) states that natural gas has many qualities that make it an economical energy source. However, there are environmental issues associated with the production and use of natural gas (EIA, 2014). After watching the documentary, there is no doubt that natural gas drilling is destroying our environment. For instance, hydraulic fracturing produces large amounts of wastewater, which may contain dissolved chemicals and other contaminants that require treatment before disposal or reuse (EIA, 2014). Furthermore, the chemicals used in the process can contaminate surrounding areas if they are released by spills, leaks, faulty well construction, or other exposure

For instance, sanitation workers can be exposed when cleaning or maintaining municipal sewers and septic tanks. Moreover, farm workers can be exposed when cleaning manure storage tanks or working in manure pits. Workers in oil and natural gas drilling and refining may be more at risk if they are in cramped spaces such as pits, manholes, tunnels, wells where hydrogen sulfide can build up to dangerous levels (OSHA, 2015) Overall, hydrogen sulfide causes a wide range of health effects. Depending on the concentration of exposure to hydrogen sulfide, levels can be very low to extremely high. From what I learned, I feel that people should be more concerned about fracking and the use of natural gas. It just seems bad for our health, environment, food supply, and our sustainability. The fact of the matter is that until natural gas is more effectively retrieved, there should be focus on other solutions to energy through renewable resources. I also believe that there has to be a balance between economy and