FRACKING
BY: SIERRA FERRARO
What is fracking?
Fracking is the process of extracting natural gas from shale rock layers deep within the earth. Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well.
Is fracking good or bad?
How does fracking work?
3 reasons why fracking is dangerous
1. Chemicals
There are up to 600 chemicals used in fracking fluid, including known carcinogens and toxins such as: lead, uranium, mercury, ethylene glycol, radium, methanol, hydrochloric acid, and formaldehyde.
2. Bad for your health
They found that proximity to fracking increased the likelihood of low birth weight by more than half, from about 5.6 percent to more than 9 percent.
3. Causes earthquakes
Since thousands of these new wells are being developed in populated areas, even small earthquakes are alarming for most of these areas haven't been seismically active in the past.
Is fracking worth it?
In the end, hydraulic fracking produces approximately 300,000 barrels of natural gas a day, but at the price of numerous environmental, safety, and health hazards.
Marcellus Shale
- There is no question that Marcellus Shale has a place in the future as a source of natural gas. With citizen’s groups calling for legislation and regulation on drilling, the rock formation that once lie quietly under the surface of the earth is now in the forefront of the news.