Fracking sites release a toxic stew of air pollution that includes chemicals that can cause severe headaches, asthma symptoms, childhood leukemia, cardiac problems, and birth defects. In addition, many of the 1,000-plus chemicals used in fracking are harmful to human health—some are known to cause cancer.

They found evidence that water pollution, air pollution, and soil contamination caused by the industry have been linked to adverse health impacts through both exposure to toxic chemicals released during fracking, and through increased stress and anxiety caused by the increased light, noise, and truck traffic associated …

A recent study gave some important answers to that last question: No, it’s not safe to live near fracking sites, and adding more fracking wells has a direct negative impact on public health.

Emissions of methane (CH4) from oil and natural gas development – including fracking – have been declining in recent years, thanks in large part to technological innovation. The current leakage rate for petroleum and natural gas systems is estimated at about 1.2 percent, according to the U.S. EPA.

Industry officials and some governments are promoting natural gas as a “clean, green” fuel, but studies show that fracked natural gas can produce as much greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as coal. What is fracking? This is only one reason for fracking’s heavy carbon footprint.

In California, frenetic fracking activity can pose serious threats to the habitats of creatures like the endangered California condor, the blunt-nosed leopard lizard and the San Joaquin kit fox. Domestic animals like cats and dogs and even horses could come under threat.

But a “shock therapy” ban on fracking here would transfer the environmental burden of oil and gas production to other countries, at great cost to the U.S. Banning fracking would increase natural gas prices for electricity generation and lead us back to coal.

5 Technologies and Methods that can make Fracking Cleaner

1. Using water-less fracking systems:
2. Replace fresh water with recycled water or brine:
3. Replace diesel powered equipment:
4. Introduce wastewater purification:
5. Reduce methane leaks:

A growing body of scientific studies reveals dangerous levels of toxic air pollution near fracking sites that has been linked to a wide range of health impacts, including respiratory problems, cancer, and birth defects. Oil and gas extraction have created smog in rural areas at levels worse than downtown Los Angeles.

Fracking has unlocked incredible amounts of oil and gas, all but ended the threat of scarcity. It has led to an American petroleum boom, lowered the price of oil and gas around the world. Fracking has also raises a new level of environmental fear. It has been linked to earthquakes and toxic tap water.