Fracking Fluids and Their Constituents

In 2011, the U.S. Congressional Committee on Energy and Commerce published a report. Chemicals Used in Hydraulic Fracturing, which lauded hydraulic fracturing as a new technological device in the ongoing pursuit of oil 

Each hydraulic fracturing product is a mixture of chemicals or other components designed to achieve a certain performance goal, such as increasing the viscosity of water. Some oil and gas service companies create their own products, but most purchase these products from chemical vendors. The service companies then mix these products together at the well site to formulate the hydraulic fracturing fluids that they pump underground. 

Flydraulic fracturing products are comprised of a wide range of chemicals. Some are seemingly harmless, such as sodium chloride (salt), gelatin, walnut hulls, instant coffee, and cifric acid. Others, though, could pose severe risks to human health or the environment. 

Along with walnut hulls and instant coffee, fhe amazing list of frac-furing fluid additives includes coffee grinds, salf, ceramic balls, lead petroleum distillates, methanol, benzene, toluene, xylene, and millions of gallons of diesel. The problem is that, in the absence of a minimum US national baseline for disclosure of fracking fluids combined with a special industry exemption from US. water safety standards, it s nearly impossible to assess any impact the use of these fluids may have on the environment or public health. It s trackin impossible (Nikiforuk, 2011). 

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