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The health implications of fracking

Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is a process in which subterranean natural gas-laden rock is fractured under pressure to enhance retrieval of gas. Sand (a “proppant”) is present in the fracking fluid pumped down the well bore to stabilize the fissures and facilitate gas flow. The manipulation of sand at the well site creates respirable dust (fracking sand dust, FSD) to which workers are exposed. Because workplace exposures to FSD have exceeded exposure limits set by OSHA, a physico-chemical characterization of FSD along with comprehensive investigations of the potential early adverse effects of FSDs on organ function and biomarkers has been conducted using a rat model and related in vivo and in vitro experiments involving the respiratory, cardiovascular, immune systems, kidney and brain. An undercurrent theme of the overall hazard identification study was, to what degree do the health effects of inhaled FSD resemble those previously observed after crystalline silica dust inhalation? In short-term studies, FSD was found to be less bioactive than MIN-U-SIL® 5 in the lungs. A second theme was, are the biological effects of FSD restricted to the lungs? Bioactivity of FSD was observed in all examined organ systems. Our findings indicate that, in many respects, the physical and chemical properties, and the short-term biological effects, of the FSDs share many similarities as a group but have little in common with crystalline silica dust.

Meeting energy demands and achieving energy independence is one of the highest goals on any nation’s priority list. The increase in energy demands in the U.S. and the need for affordable energy have caused substantial developments in the fracking arena over the last two decades. Although the fracking process has dominated the last decade because of its contribution to more affordable energy, the negative environmental impacts have certainly been questioned. Therefore, it is imperative to calculate the real net cost of fracking by weighing its benefits against its negative environmental impacts as well. This research study is a foundational study that identifies the major cost centers and the impacts needs assessment for the fracking process across its different life cycle phases through an extensive literature review, a comprehensive Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), and dynamic cost modeling. Datasets were analyzed at a macro-level to find the life cycle cost of fracking using several data sources and implementing life cycle analysis and assessment approaches. A Monte-Carlo simulation was used during the analysis to account for the range of values at the macro-level, rendering this model to be dynamic in nature, and the costs to be more reliable. The results demonstrated that air and water pollution are some of the highest impacting factors in the fracking process, and the most expensive. It was duly noted in the study that dependence on depletable energy sources like shale gas is very costly and economically and environmentally unsustainable, which urge a sustainable calculated transition towards more renewable energy in the imminent future. Finally, this study provides a major platform as a fracking LCC framework for different future studies.

Fracking drilling has opened a discussion on the role of technological developments in economies engaged in shale oil and gas formations. Oil and natural gas production opened new possibilities for employment benefits and housing prices decreases. This paper explores, for the first time, the impact of fracking on housing prices across Oklahoma's counties, spanning the period 2000–2015. Through panel methods, the findings show a positive effect on housing prices, while this positive effect gains statistical significance only over the period after the 2006 fracking boom. The results survive a robustness check that explicitly considers distance and groundwater-dependency issues.

Using data from a county severely affected by the increased seismicity associated with injection wells since 2009 in Oklahoma, we recover hedonic estimates of property value impacts from nearby shale oil and gas development that vary with earthquake risk exposure. Results suggest that the seismic activity has enhanced the perceived risks associated with wastewater injection but not shale gas production. This risk perception is limited to injection wells within 2 km of the properties.

We examine ‘fracking’ for shale gas extraction in England, France, and Algeria, framed from the perspective of level of acceptance by communities and general public. We explore the extent to which public participation in decision-making should play a role in fracking regulation, and evaluate whether the level of public participation matches the legal requirements. Our position on the adequacy of fracking regulation is from the perspective of the public dissenter, outlining a legal and normative basis for public participation in decision-making on fracking. We highlight relevant laws and policies to understand and evaluate adequacy of relevant regulatory processes.

We offer strong yet nuanced argumentation, creating space for further discussion by academics, the public, regulators, local decision-makers, fracking companies and others. This is not a typical social-psychology, legal, sociology, or human geography research paper, as we take a position from the beginning: that the public ought to be involved in decisions related to the regulation of fracking, and argue that we validate our approach by supporting our claims throughout the work.