SEARCH IN WORK
May 1, 2011

The Rush to Drill for Natural Gas: A Public Health Cautionary Tale

Abstract

Efforts to identify alternative sources of energy have focused on extracting natural gas from vast shale deposits. The Marcellus Shale, located in western New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, is estimated to contain enough natural gas to supply the United States for the next 45 years.

New drilling technology—horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing of shale (fracking)—has made gas extraction much more economically feasible. However, this technique poses a threat to the environment and to the public’s health. There is evidence that many of the chemicals used in fracking can damage the lungs, liver, kidneys, blood, and brain.

We discuss the controversial technique of fracking and raise the issue of how to balance the need for energy with the protection of the public’s health.

Download PDF above, or access full publication here.

Resources

Sign up for email updates!

Join our email list to learn about our latest research, analysis, and events.

Sign up for email updates!

Join our email list to learn about our latest research, analysis, and events.

Sign up for email updates!

Join our email list to learn about our latest research, analysis, and events.

Sign up for email updates!

Join our email list to learn about our latest research, analysis, and events.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua

Pin It on Pinterest

SIGN UP FOR EMAILS
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut