Environmental and health impacts of ‘fracking’: why epidemiological studies are necessary

Abstract

Wells have blowouts, spills are common, and methane is leaked and vented into the atmosphere at all stages of the extraction process. By far, one of the most critical issues is the management (storage, treatment and disposal) of water produced in the gas or oil extraction process. The flowback water contains thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals, the vast majority of which are not identified. Moreover, an undetermined number of the chemical compounds used in the drilling and fracturing processes lack scientifically based maximum contaminant levels, which makes it difficult to assess their public health risks. 3 The mixture of chemicals used by drilling companies is considered to be proprietary, and in many states companies are not mandated to disclose information about the quantities, concentrations or identities of the chemicals used in the process despite calls for such action.