Fracking Natural Gas is it polluting our water supplies?

August 28th 9:20am

Wikipedia states that 750 chemicals are listed by  hydraulic fracturing in a report to the US Congress in 2011 1. I searched for Bromide a chemical found naturally in nature and man. In reading this statement I pondered why would the Pennsylvania explosion have any effect on Hydraulic fracturing. As my research continued I read an article that Marcellus Shale Cheaspeak Energy suspended operations of there Hydraulic Fracturing in Pennsylvania. The two chemicals (Methane gas nor bromide) are not listed in Wikipedia, which leads me to believe that chemicals used in Hydraulic Fracturing produce some offset chemicals after the fracturing process is complete and the water is emitted from the plant. It must raise the levels of bromide and methane gas naturally. However these chemicals then fall into our streams and rivers and end up in our drinking water. Which according an article in the Post-Gazette.com there is a high level formation of trihalomethane 2, the elevated levels are up due from sources which could include the hydraulic fracturing activities. The article also states that it could be from activities related to the drinking water purification process and to the sewage processes.
Hydraulic Fracturing is considered a safe and effective drilling process, to capture our natural resources, however in reading various articles and searching for information about Hydraulic Fracturing it is clear the industry is in need of transparency and I hate to say the words but: REGULATIONS. It is interesting that the EPA dose not regulate bromide in drinking water, but that high levels of trihalomethane (effects in my opinion are an off shoot from Hydraulic Fracturing) can cause cancer and birth defects. Why would the government which praises itself in protection not include this chemical in its test for safe drinking water? Since other processes including Hydraulic fracturing which also produce bromide can produce so many horrendous side effects. President Obama supports innovative ideas in discovering and drilling for natural resources but yet he has not mentioned the EPA involvement with checking bromide levels. A congressional probe is underway from the Calhoun County explosions. Many groups such as the Duke University, North Carolina have tested the water but where is the EPA, on this matter.
As Americans we pride ourselves in leadership, hopefully we will continue to be open to innovations in capturing our own natural resources and not "throw the baby out with the bath water". Hydraulic fracturing should be considered as a great way to capture our resources and I am hopeful that the companies that drill will listen to the public and find a way to produce with out the harmful side effects.
The formation of bromide is a concern for all Pennsylvanians as well as the future of our pure water. We should all pay attention to the way Pennsylvania handle this situation because all of America could be effected as Hydraulic Fracturing will continue into the future. As America searches for innovative ways to produce its own natural resources it is our obligation to listen to all sides of any argument and do your own fact finding. Thanks to the internet we can have a voice and we should use all the tools available to us to make our country great again.