Aubree Mayes
Period 3

The United States is dependent on fuel and electricity in order to live and perform our daily routines. Fracking is one of the few options to meet these needs. Gas extraction produces health threatening pollutants during nearly every stage of the process that is being used today in 5 states, and is known to be dangerous. We are also aware that chemicals including hydrochloric acid and anti freeze get pumped down the wells. With that being said, fracking poses serious health risks that outweigh the potential benefits. Fracking causes air pollutants near gas wells. According to Tim McDonnell, It was found that “pollution is at its worst within a half-mile radius of the wells.” Several studies have also discovered “precursors to ground level o-zone, which can cause repertory and cardiovascular disease. Silica sand, which is used to prop open underground cracks and which can cause pulmonary disease and lung cancer was also found in the air around well sites.” The risks of those pollutants continue to be taken by workers and their employers which also puts civilians in danger, and soon we may have to face the ugly things that are going to come eventually and should be taken more seriously. There are also raising concerns for our water supplies. Fracking has raised concern about water supplies. Contamination occurs as simply as cracking in the casing of the wells which than leak. “Methane getting into drinking wells from leaky gas wells is the prime suspect in Pennsylvania’s flammable faucets; a study last year found some methane is 82 percent of water wells samples but concluded that concentrations were six times higher for water wells within one kilometer of gas wells,” Says Tim McDonnel. That means that people are consuming methane, which is hazardous, and it is being hidden in their drinking water. Gas infused water should be more concerning than it is being made out to be, instead of being ignored. Although some people argue that that the potential benefits of fracking outweigh the potential health risks. Fracking offers potential major job creations.