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Essay / Hydraulic Fracturing - 1437
Hydraulic fracturing is a leading producer of natural gas and oil. Although a major contributor, fracking causes more problems than it seems. Fracking companies are not being completely honest with the public about contaminants in water, air and soil. Dangerous chemicals used, those that infect and contaminate drinking water, and companies that fail to regulate fracking are just some of the major problems caused by fracking. One of the main arguments in favor of hydraulic fracturing is the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and the damage they cause. anti-fracture debate. The companies have tried to keep the chemicals they use and the fracking process secret. Frank R. Spellman in “Environmental Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing” states that hydraulic fracturing relies heavily on the use of chemicals that are not disclosed to the public (131). Fracturing fluids must possess four qualities: they must be sufficiently vicious to create a fracture of adequate width, measure the distance traveled by the fluid to extend the length of the fracture, be able to transport large quantities of proppant in fracture and require a minimum of gelling agent to allow easier degradation or “breaking” and reduced cost (131-132). The main categories of fluids used in hydraulic fracturing are acids, foamed gels, gelled fluids, clear water, and potassium chloride water (132). Linear gels, a type of gelled fluids, contain biodegradable products (132). To create a fracturing gel capable of creating a fracture of the necessary width, guar powder, which is non-toxic and made from guar seeds, is mixed with diesel fuel (132). Diesel fuel is a petroleum distillate middle of paper......containing toxic chemicals underground where they think it can't cause harm, but it's the Indians who suffer the consequences ( 750). Although hydraulic fracking produces thousands of gallons of natural gas per day, the many safety, environmental and health risks must be considered and addressed. Even if we use this oil and natural gas today, there will be nothing left of it in the future. Additionally, contamination of the public's drinking water and air is a serious problem that should be of greater concern to businesses and the government. If companies did their best to protect public health, drinking water, air and soil and publicized what chemicals are used, more people would support fracking. Fracking companies that keep processes and chemicals secret cause more harm than good.