The practice of fracking, or “hydraulic fracturing,” wherein a high-pressure jet of water is used to drill into rock layers, may cause serious issues for nearby water wells; there are many indications that individuals who drink from well water near fracking outfits should be wary of doing so. In Ohio, it was recently reported that
two residents who live nearby a fracking operation can literally set their water on firedue to the contamination the work has caused.
As of late, there has been much concern with how fracking can affect the quality of drinking water. Recently,
the EPA released a study that suggests a positive connection between fracking operations and degrading quality of nearby water sources.The report found that aquifers in the vicinity of fracking outfits had traces of methane, along with other hydrocarbons, within their water supplies.
Fracking has been around since the middle of the 20th century, but the 21st century has seen a rise in the procedure; it is now estimated that well over half of all new gas and oil wells utilize fracking in order to extract natural resources from the earth. Because fracking is so prevalent today, it is important that individuals and industry officials be aware of the potential dangers it may pose to peoples’ health.
There have been many reports in recent years of the health risks of fracking—even just being near a gas fracking site may pose risks—so health officials should be diligent about inspecting and reporting on the potential dangers of this procedure.
Fracking also presents the risk of explosions when drilling for natural gas,so it is not just water and general health problems that the practice may engender.
The law firm of Shapiro, Lewis, Appleton & Favaloro writes Legal Examiner blogs for Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Northeast North Carolina as a pro bono service to inform consumers and officials of urgent health risks, dangerous products and matters of injury law.
