Fracking / Petrochemical

Hydraulic fracturing, also called “fracking” is a destructive process to extract natural gas and oil from shale rock formations that lie deep underground.

The process begins with drilling deep down into the earth, on average between 5,000-9,000 feet. Then a mixture of millions of gallons of water, sand, and harsh chemicals (“fracking fluid”)  is injected down the well at the shale rock at a high enough pressure to fracture the shale and release the oil or gas inside. The term “fracking” refers to how the rock is fractured to release the gas. The process can be performed vertically or, more commonly, by drilling horizontally up to 10,000 feet out into the rock layer. This can create new pathways to release gas or can be used to extend existing channels. These procedures allow the gas to flow out of the rock and up to the wellhead where it is collected.

Since 2008, shale gas drilling targeting the Marcellus Shale has dramatically increased in southwestern Pennsylvania. With this increase, there have been huge impacts on local people and environment. The list of toxic chemicals that are used throughout the fracking process has only recently been disclosed to the public. One study, based on Material Safety Data Sheets from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission for 41 products used in fracking operations, assessed the chemicals used in fracking and found that 73% of the products had between 6 and 14 different adverse health effects including skin, eye, and sensory organ damage; respiratory distress including asthma; gastrointestinal and liver disease; brain and nervous system harms; cancers; and negative reproductive effects.. This chart illustrates the possible health effects associated with the 353 gas-related chemicals linked to fracking:

In addition to health issues, truck traffic has significantly increased on narrow rural roads across Greene and Washington Counties as trucks haul water and chemicals to well sites 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This increased truck traffic not only poses safety concerns, but has dramatically altered people’s lives by making commutes and travel far more time consuming.

Are you directly impacted by fracking? Is there proposed fracking infrastructure in your community? Contact us at 724-229-3550 or email us at oilgaspetroteam@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org to see how we can support you.