Problems arising from fracking include a downgrade in U.S. drinking water quality, as well as the health concerns of well workers and community members in surrounding areas, according to Amy Townsend-Small, an assistant professor of geology, ecologist and the course instructor for Monday’s symposium.
“I was a proponent for fracking, but now, I don’t know,” Townsend-Small said.
She explained the flowback water — a remaining 10 to 15 percent of water returning to the surface following the drilling process — becomes so contaminated during the process of hydraulic fracturing that there is little to no ability for further use of the water.
“It’s saltier than seawater,” Townsend-Small said. “It uses too much energy, the cost isn’t worth it.”
Utica shale formation substantially uses more water than any other oil formation in the U.S., according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with each well requiring approximately 5.1 million gallons of water per fracking operation. From 2001 to 2014, Ohio has totaled 4 billion gallons of water for the use of fracking.
Due to Ohio being surrounded by the five great lakes, Townsend-Small said this excess loss of water is not of high concern; however, in other U.S. states water loss is becoming too expensive to continue on with the process of fracking.
The flowback water is handled in multiple ways following the operations, including, but not limited to, underground disposal, treatment followed by disposal to surface water bodies or recycled for use in future fracking operations, according to USGS.
“Loopholes within the government are concerning,” said Joe Harrell, assistant vice president of UC Utilities.
A February 2015 report conducted by Food & Water Watch parallels Harrell’s ideas, summarizing that respirable silica can cause silicosis, lung cancer and holds association with disease like tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, among other autoimmune diseases.
Well workers mix the silica into the water and sand mixture on site, before it is penetrated into the ground. Harrell said, “Those masks are not required to be worn.”
According to Food & Water Watch’s report, residents living in nearby operations are highly prone to the same health risks of the well workers, and with over 50,000 active natural gas wells in the U.S. the problem is of major concern.
The National Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study at 11 well sites, finding results of exposure to silica exceeding thresholds set to protect workers health within the fracking industry, according to Food & Water Watch’s report.
She said each site holds six to 12 hydraulic fracturing well, and the outreach of silica may get as large as up to a 10-kilometer radius of each well.
“We’re talking about distribution of gas for domestic use,” Townsend-Small said. “At 33 percent efficiency — it’s horrible.”
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