Hydraulic Fracturing; A Vibrant New Technology Raising Possible Health and Environmental Concerns

 Hydraulic fracturing, or more commonly known as “fracking”, has been highlighted in the media over the last several years due to its disruptive nature and possible adverse side effects. Hydraulic fracturing also proposes many benefits; the difficult task is discovering whether the benefits overcome the possible risks.

Hydraulic Fracturing Defined

  Hydraulic fracturing occurs naturally underground as pressure build up against weakly bonded rock formations, such as shale, once the pressure becomes too great the rock formation will break apart, releasing trapped natural gas. The more controversial side of hydraulic fracturing is induced hydraulic fracturing; in which people expedite the natural process by pumping highly pressurized gas into weak rock layers and then capturing the released gases. As Agricultural and Resource Economics Professor Howard Leathers states, “Hydraulic fracturing…is the pumping in of water into underground sources of natural gas to push that natural gas to the surface, where it can be utilized.”

The Origins of Hydraulic Fracturing

Induced hydraulic fracturing was first tested experimentally in 1947, and commercial applications began right around 1950. Today it is estimated that three-fifths of the natural gas wells worldwide rely on hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing became popular immediately due to its ability to free up previously non-retrievable gas sources, especially during a time when people were worried about gas shortages and gas prices increasing. Due to the controversial nature of hydraulic fracturing and its vast growth, several countries banned its commercial usage for fear of environmental degradation. However, several of these countries, such as the United Kingdom, are beginning to relax their bans on hydraulic fracturing.

The Benefits to Induced Hydraulic Fracturing

One common misconception is that there are no environmental benefits to hydraulic fracturing, this is not true. Brian Tucker, and author for Cleveland Business, wrote in an article published earlier this month that, “unbiased climate researchers have found that the discovery of such cheap sources of natural gas has helped reduce noxious levels in our atmosphere because so many electric utilities are shifting from coal to cleaner gas as a power source.” Investing in hydraulic fracturing and the production of natural gas helps curve down the demand for other environmentally unfavorable practices representing an overall drop in pollution. Natural gas itself Is not the main concern stemming from hydraulic fracturing, and It is widely believed that natural gas is certainly a cleaner energy source than coal production. Another large benefit to hydraulic fracturing is the booming industry it creates and the millions of jobs it produces every year. In places where the shale is abundant, such as Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, whole towns rely on the hydraulic fracturing production in order to work and provide for their families. Tucker also pointed out in his article that in March of this year, several of the large companies working out of theses shale-rich states, voluntarily came together and set standards to protect both the air and water. These voluntary guidelines set by the companies surpass regulations already invoked on them, in an effort to show the public that these companies do care about the environment and the health of surrounding citizens.

The Downfalls Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing

While the benefits of a cleaner energy source, and more jobs during a period of economic depression sound attractive, the downfalls to hydraulic fracturing must also be addressed. The main concern associated with induced hydraulic fracturing is groundwater contamination. The fluids the companies use to pump beneath the surface and break up the rock layer often contain harsh chemicals and volatile substances. The volatility of the substances, coupled with the shattering of rock structures beneath the surface allow the chemicals to seep into some parts of the groundwater near production and can come with some rather serious adverse health effects. Workers of hydraulic fracturing are also at immediate risk due to airborne crystalline silica which can be inhaled near the wells, the silica is carcinogenic and can cause serious health problems to those exposed. Several other airborne chemicals such as benzene, naphthalene, and methylene chloride, are used in hydraulic fracturing and are known to cause cancer in both humans and animals. The environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing not only include groundwater contamination but also air quality risks, gas and chemical migration to the surface, and the mishandling of waste after production. “Gasland”, a 2010 documentary produced in the United States by Josh Fox, focused on those impacted by the natural gas production industry, especially those involved in hydraulic fracturing, a popular video clip shown below demonstrates what can happen when natural gas migrates to underground water sources, and the impacts this may have on residents.

Do the Benefits of Hydraulic Fracturing Outweigh the Possible Downfalls?

This is a question that will undoubtedly be investigated for several decades to come and one we may never fully define the answer for. There are so many variables associated with hydraulic fracturing and we need to look at each one individually and determine its impacts. This is a valuable technology that may just need to be perfected in order to be used in a sustainable and for long-term production. The United States is on the leading edge of the hydraulic fracturing debate and they are the leaders for research into the practice. In the coming decades we are sure to see either a worldwide massive increase in hydraulic fracturing or a decrease do to the environmental degradation and health side effects.