By Vivian R. Underhill, Northeastern University Lourdes Vera and University at Buffalo
More than 17,000,000 Americans live within one mile of at most one oil or natural gas well. The majority of new oil or gas wells have been facked since 2014.
Fracking is the process of injecting fluids underground under high pressure. Fluids are used to fracture coal beds and shale rocks, which allows the oil and gas trapped in the rock to rise to surface. The rapid development of fracking has led to a massive increase in U.S. oil production, but it also caused intense debate over its effects on the environment and health.
Fracking fluids can contain as much as 97% water. But they also contain many chemicals that kill bacteria and dissolve minerals. Some of these chemicals are classified as toxic or potentially toxic by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
1974’s Safe Drinking Water Act regulates underground injections that may pose a threat to drinking water supplies. Congress exempted fracking from all federal regulation. Therefore, fracking is regulated by the states and…
