Chemicals

From Wikimarcellus

Halliburton frac fluid tank
The 2005 Energy Policy Act exempts companies
from disclosing the ingredients used to frac gas wells
as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974.
Photo credit - donnan.com

Most of the chemicals used in the drilling fluids for hydro-fracturing are believed to be non-toxic.

However, there are also examples of chemicals used that are toxins and/or carcinogens. These include benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene. Their use obviously raises concerns.

When water samples are analyzed from well water or other sources, signs it is tainted with fracing fluid chemicals may include unusual readings on:

• alkalinity
• aluminum
• barium
• calcium
• iron
• hardness
• manganese
• pH
• potassium
• specific conductivity
• sodium
• total dissolved solids.

Resources

PA Dept. of Environmental Protection “Summary of Hydraulic Fracture Solutions.” [1]