Science and Fracking: What Do We Know?

A very interesting article, Hydraulic Fracturing and Laboratories: What Does it Mean for You? by The Association of Public Health discusses how fracking has been in use for decades, but the science used to test and research the effects it has on our environment is just in the beginning stages. The EPA is conducting research on fracking and its potential impact on groundwater, but the full report is not set to be released until 2014. With an industry growing as quickly has the fracking industry, two years of high-volume operation before we gain a better understanding of potential pitfalls is a large gamble to take.

So far, fracking has been blamed for contaminated drinking water and dangerous emissions (such as methane gas leaked from drilling equipment) in states such as PA, WY, TX, CO, NM, and OH. No comprehensive investigation by state or federal government has been done on how fracking affects human health, but the instances of people (and animals) becoming seriously ill near fracking sites continues to rise. ProPublica also published a more in-depth article, Science Lags as Health Problems Emerge Near Gas Fields, earlier this year. While a bit longer of a read, it is a great resource for information. Beware, it may leave you with more questions than answers!

What is your opinion on fracking and its environmental effects? Do you think with more regulation meant to control contamination and pollution that hydraulic fracturing can be safely used?

Let's start a discussion! Leave your comments below!

If you need more information on what fracking is, read our blog post. There is also a blog post regarding what chemicals are used in fracking fluid.