A recent
report by US News suggests that the oil fracking business that has boomed in
the past decade poses a risk to the residents who surround the areas in which
fracking take place. As a process,
fracking requires pumping large quantities of water, sand and least
attractively, chemicals into the ground to break apart the earth and allow oil
to flow towards the surface. As a whole, it has been responsible for some of
the drop in oil prices the United States has seen over the past 6-8 months.
Additionally, it has reduced the country’s dependence on the Middle East for
our oil supply.
In the report, which studied over
150 papers on the potential second-hand risks associated with proximity to
fracking and other oil wells, it was suggested that individuals living close to
these areas are 10% more likely to face birth defects that those not near these
areas. Moreover, studies underscored
that exposure to several of the materials used in fracking has also rendered
women unable to conceive. While a direct relationship has not yet been
completely identified, this study marks just the latest in what has been a
controversial run for this relatively new method of obtaining oil. Over the
next few years, there will likely be a call for a final policy decision to be made
regarding its legitimacy. For now, we are all forced to bare the question: is
cheap oil worth the consequence?
http://www.usnews.com/news/special-reports/energy-of-tomorrow/articles/2014/12/05/fracking-linked-to-infertility-miscarriages-birth-defects
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