Waste water is any water that has been contaminated by pollutants. In this section we will be focusing on how Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) creates waste water and how it can contaminate our environment.
Natural gas when extracted from the ground is normally treated with many toxic chemicals. Many known to cause problems within the endocrine system. These toxic chemicals produce waste water( water with chemicals from extracting shale oil). Waste water can normally be treated at waste water treatment plants, but it must be transported where waste water can leak into ground water. It is not commonplace but when contamination of groundwater occurs levels can be as high as highly polluted inner cities. The effects of these chemicals vary, but can have severe consequences.
(6.
(6.1) Shows the process of hydraulic fracturing.
(6.2) This image shows how spilled hydraulic fracturing fluid contaminates ground and surface water.
Natural gas when extracted from the ground is normally treated with many toxic chemicals. Many known to cause problems within the endocrine system. These toxic chemicals produce waste water( water with chemicals from extracting shale oil). Waste water can normally be treated at waste water treatment plants, but it must be transported where waste water can leak into ground water. It is not commonplace but when contamination of groundwater occurs levels can be as high as highly polluted inner cities. The effects of these chemicals vary, but can have severe consequences.
(6.3) The chart above shows the many chemicals caused by fracking and their health effects on humans.
They can cause many complications for pregnant women. These chemicals cause many complications with development and the birthing process. Such things as birth defects, still birth, or premature birth may occur when exposed to these toxins. These chemicals also are known carcinogens which is another main concern for people living near fracking operations. Oil fracking companies construct infrastructure and worry about the health consequences for the people who live in the community later. This trend of knowing these chemicals are bad for human health and the environment but continue to let companies do as they wish needs to stop. These Industrial companies care less about the health of the communities and more about their bottom lines. This laissez faire attitude towards our health and environment needs to change.