While fracking has led to a substantial increase in US oil and gas production, the controversial procedure poses considerable environmental and public health risk.
A chemical spill caused by fracking is becoming an increasingly common mishap. In fact,所有美国的16%的压裂井溢出有害化学品根据最近的科学调查。
During the decade ending in 2014, there were nearly 6,650 chemical spills in just 4 states.
化学泄漏不仅导致环境的恶化,而且还产生了负面的公共卫生结果,例如哮喘阅读,了解更多有关压缩与哮喘的联系。
What is Fracking and How Does it Cause a Chemical Spill?
Before this article dives into the negative health effects of fracking, it is important to understand exactly how the procedure is performed.
Fracking is performed through the use of a process known as hydraulic fracturing.
This process works by mixing chemical additives with water and then injecting this fluid into a production well. This mixture helps release trapped resources in the well by cracking the underground rock.
在程序完成后收集废水,需进行处置和重用过程。美国环保局(EPA)承认许多不同的方式其中可能发生化学泄漏。
If the production well has inadequate mechanical integrity, the injection process can cause leaks. The handling, storage, and disposal of hydraulic fracturing fluid and wastewater also frequently result in spills.
Clearly, if spills and leaks are occurring in ground or surface water, this may present an issue for drinking water.
This is precisely whyindustrial waste managementis so important. In addition,有毒化学泄漏清理is extremely expensive for both government and businesses.
How do Chemical Spills Cause Asthma?
John Hopkins大学对摆布造成的危险公共卫生结果进行了令人震惊的研究。对于近距离靠近布鲁布生产井的哮喘患者,哮喘袭击的可能性随着众多的增加。
这项研究得出结论,患有哮喘的人是1。5 to 4X more likely在靠近天然气开发项目附近遭受哮喘发作。
The John Hopkins study was performed in north and central Pennsylvania, where there has been a rapid expansion of fracking. In a 12-year period ending in 2012, the number of wells in Pennsylvania increased by over 6,000.
Along with the increase in wells came a jaw-dropping number of asthma attacks. During a 7-year period from 2005-2012, there were over 27,000 asthma attacks. These attacks ranged from mild to severe, with thousands requiring hospitalization.
哮喘只是摆布众多负面公共卫生结果之一。该过程也被归咎于增加出生并发症,皮肤病疾病和呼吸问题的可能性。
Wrapping Up
The more that scientists learn about fracking, the more evident the environmental and public health concerns become. Asthma is just one of the many ailments worsened by proximity to a fracking site.
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