The Chancellor's autumn budget statement makes it obvious that
they are going to start pushing hard on fracking. His promise of
money from fracking to bribe communities to accept the unacceptable,
tells us it is going ahead against any opposition. The companies
involved in fracking, are rather secretive about the cocktail of
toxic chemicals that goes into the process, but more and more details
come out as the process gains momentum. In fracking areas in America, in some cases you can set fire to the water from your tap, but the
corporate world see fracking as the new oil boom, and they are going
at it hell for leather. This despite the mounting evidence of the
damage to people and the environment. More studies are now being done
as the type of chemicals being used is becoming better known. One
recent study from the National Meeting & Exposition of the
American Chemical Society, (ACS) comes up with some very frightening
facts. One of the many toxic chemicals used in fracking, and there
are many, is ethylbenzene, and their report states, "Five
gallons of ethylbenzene can pollute a billion gallons of water."
Read the full article HERE:Perhaps the most comprehensive look to date at fracking chemicals was presented in August at the National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).William Stringfellow, a professor in environmental engineering at the University of the Pacific, lead author of the report, said he conducted the review of fracking contents to help resolve the public debate over the controversial drilling practice.Fracking involves injecting water with a mix of chemical additives into rock formations deep underground to promote the release of oil and gas. It has led to a natural gas boom in the United States, but it has also stimulated major opposition and troubling reports of contaminated well water, as well as increased air pollution near drill sites.The team of scientists presenting this work said that out of nearly 200 commonly used compounds, there's very little known about the potential health risks of about one-third. However, they concluded eight of the known compounds are toxic to mammals. Chemicals such as corrosion inhibitors and biocides are being used in "reasonably high concentrations that potentially could have adverse effects," said Stringfellow."Biocides are inherently toxic by design," he told Truthout. "They need to be evaluated even if used in small amounts because of their toxicity."
Recent tests in Australia on areas where there is fracking reveals that much more methane is bubbling up through the soil and rivers than was first stated, with the usual health and environment dangers.
Big business never looks at the dangers to people or the environment when it pursues profits, any restrain or modification to their methods, is forced on them by public opinion and public pressure. The dangers of fracking will be ignored as the corporate greed merchants try to squeeze as quickly as possible every last drop of profit before the dangers become more widely known. Poisoning the soil and water table with carcinogenic chemicals is acceptable to big business, it is unacceptable to all of us, it is only our power that will stop this insanity.
Big business never looks at the dangers to people or the environment when it pursues profits, any restrain or modification to their methods, is forced on them by public opinion and public pressure. The dangers of fracking will be ignored as the corporate greed merchants try to squeeze as quickly as possible every last drop of profit before the dangers become more widely known. Poisoning the soil and water table with carcinogenic chemicals is acceptable to big business, it is unacceptable to all of us, it is only our power that will stop this insanity.
