Fracking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Fracking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be by Mary Boland, August 9, 2012, Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Damning evidence about the environmental consequences of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of shale gas continues to pile up. … But much worse is the evidence of truly life-destroying chemical contamination of the air, water and soil. Farmers complain of stillborn and deformed calves, many residents have had their well water turn murky and undrinkable, and homeowners near the massive gas compressor stations are suffering respiratory ailments. In the tiny Washington County village of Rea, for example, residents are suffering eye-watering fumes, poisoned drinking water, “frack rash,” asthma, diarrhea, sore throats and joint pain. Tests of water from one resident’s faucets reveal the presence of strontium, benzene and other toxins matching the fracking compounds used in the area. Among other examples are Chris and Stephanie Hallowich, who saw their dream home become surrounded by fracked wells, a processing plant, a compressor station, pipelines, a three-acre holding pond, and a gravel road with heavy truck traffic. Then when carcinogenic volatile organic compounds were found in their well and the air around their house, they sued. The gas company settled the Hallowich suit and bought their property, but on the condition that the family submit to a gag order.

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