Fracking could threaten air quality, workers’ health, latest report says

[n2doc]

Maryland’s latest report on the impact of proposed natural gas exploration in the western part of the state said drilling could pose a threat to air quality and workers in a region that is ecologically pristine.

But the report, presented to a state commission Monday, said the process called hydraulic fracturing would pose little threat of earthquakes, which were triggered recently in central Oklahoma by gas-drilling operations, according to researchers, and are of concern to environmentalists.

The report is the second of three called for under Gov. Martin O’Malley’s 2011 executive order to study hydraulic fracturing, an unconventional horizontal drilling process also referred to as fracking.

O’Malley (D) said studies of drilling impacts were required before a natural gas well could be built in Maryland. A third and final study funded by the Natural Resources and Environment departments is expected soon.

Several oil and gas companies have sought drilling permits and leased private land in hopes of exploring natural gas opportunities in remote Garrett County, home to the popular Deep Creek Lake. Their aim is to build wells in the Marcellus Shale, a 95,000-square-mile rock formation that stretches from Ohio to Virginia, where gas has been entombed for about 380 million years.

more

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/fracking-could-threaten-air-quality-workers-health-latest-report-says/2014/08/18/6b2c7eb6-270d-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html

They need to remove the weasel word "could"...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. DU Rec.

For The Truth.

[AlbertCat]

2. Is there any reason to not know what's in the tracking fluid?

I mean ....that's the question people seem to want to know. And y'know, the drinking water thing....


"The University of Maryland report presented Monday relied on numerous studies of drilling sites to warn that air pollution associated with gas exploration increased the risk of “adverse birth outcomes including congenital heart defects .?.?. sinus problems, eye burning, severe headaches, persistent cough and skin rashes.”"

Aren't those also the complaints about water quality from those who have tracking on their land?


I realize this is about air quality. But I don't seem to see much about the hydraulics anymore.

[n2doc]

3. Industry says "it's proprietary"

They claim that the composition is a secret to be kept from competitors, like the recipe for coke or KFC.

[AlbertCat]

4. like the recipe for coke or KFC.

Of course I .... myself.... get to decide if I want to partake of those "chemicals".

So obviously citizens should also get to decide the same about fracking....right? Right?

[n2doc]

5. I'm not defending it

I agree with you, the moment something can influence you (contact, ingestion, breathing, etc.) without your consent, it has to be exposed.