Fracking sand could cause health problems
Thursday, October 9, 2014
According to The Beaver County Times, sand used for fracking can cause serious health problems, such as lung disease.
Oil and gas companies use sand to keep fractures open during the fracking process so that oil or natural gas can continue to flow out of the rock. Even though sand used in Midwest shale drilling is cleaned and treated, there is still silica dust present.
In Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale, drilling activity is growing, so more sand will be needed as more oil and gas is extracted.
“The silica can embed itself deep into a person’s lung tissue and cannot be expelled by coughing. Silicosis is the most common lung disease, and there is no known cure.”
Related story: Investors turn to fracking sand for profit
Via: The Beaver County Times > Study: Sand mining for fracking operations could affect region’s water, air quality
Leave a Comment
Marcellus & Utica Shale Well Map
Additional Shale Maps
Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.