Local Communities and Infrastructure

The Interest in Human Health

Hydraulic Fracturing presents a number of impacts that can only be experienced by those living in close proximity to wells.  Many of these impacts have been brought to the discussion surrounding hydraulic fracturing by the controversial documentary, “Gasland”, by Josh Fox.  Already covered is potential groundwater and drinking water contamination.  Also covered is the double edged effects on jobs and the economy that hydraulic fracturing offers.  Less focused on but absolutely important are the negative impacts on small areas from the human health, environmental, and social perspectives.

 

 

Beginning with human health is the topic of air pollution.  Air pollution is not a heavy focus of groups other than those representing the human health perspective.  According to TEDX (The Endocrine Disruptor Exchange):

“In addition to the land and water contamination issues, at each stage of production and delivery tons of toxic volatile compounds (VOCs), including BTEX, other hydrocarbons, and 5 fugitive natural gas (methane), can escape and mix with nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the exhaust of diesel-fueled, mobile, and stationary equipment, to produce ground-level ozone (CH2MHILL 2007; Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment [CDPHE] 2007; URS 2008; U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment 1989).”(TED X Natural Gas Drilling Operations from a Human Health Perspective)

Here TEDx points out the very simple fact that there is a significant threat to human health posed by the air emissions of drilling operations.  Where TEDx does its best job assessing the threats to human health is in the manuscript “Natural Gas Drilling Operations from a Human Health Perspective”.  In conclusion the report includes graphics that show the potential health effects of the known chemicals associated with hydraulic fracturing and the known links to problems associated with human health.  TEDx does not condemn the industry completely, but rather suggests increases in monitoring and studying of the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on humans and the environment.

Stress on Communities and Infrastructure

There are strains on local governments, from an infrastructure standpoint, shown in a study completed in 2011 by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Commerce, and Department of Justice.

“In Pennsylvania, road impacts have been a major problem for municipalities in the Marcellus shale region.  Gas development significantly increases truck traffic on roads that often were not designed for such heavy use.  For many of Pennsylvania’s small towns, road maintenance and repair accounts for the largest part of the town budget.

New York’s EIS estimated 1148 one-way heavy duty truck trips and 831 one-way light-duty truck trips per well during the construction phase of gas development.  For early well pad development, this is a total of 2296 round-trip heavy-duty truck trips and 1662 round trip light-duty truck trips per well when all water is transported by truck.” (NC study)

These trucks, and site operations, present possibilities for spills of toxic chemicals, significant reduction of the integrity of local infrastructure, and increased air pollution.  Every well will not require the same amount of water and therefore these truck trip numbers can be assumed to be estimates.  These estimates present side effects that can have significant impacts on quality of life and require attention from all parties.  The negative impacts can range from noise pollution to threats to human health.  This is important because these are just two of the many problems that play a role in the hydraulic fracturing portion of the natural gas industry.