anticapitalist:

Human Carcinogen Found in Drinking Water Near Gas Drilling Ops

Big surprise, right?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) detection of arsenic, a known human carcinogen, barium and other contaminants in the well water of homes near natural gas drilling operations in Dimock Township, Pa., should prompt a nationwide investigation of drilling-linked water pollution.

[…]

Arsenic, classified by the US government and World Health Organization as a known human carcinogen, an element sometimes found in “elevated concentrations” in groundwater because of drilling;

• Barium, a common constituent of drilling fluids; long-term ingestion at high levels can cause kidney damage
• Phthalates, a synthetic plastic chemical and probable human carcinogen, according to EPA
• Glycol compounds common in drilling fluids and associated with damage to kidneys, the nervous system, lungs, heart, testicular damage and anemia
• Manganese, an naturally occurring element that can damage the nervous system at high levels
• Phenol, found in some drilling fluids; at high levels can cause irregular heartbeat, liver damage and skin burns
• Sodium, compounds found in some drilling fluids, at high levels can cause high blood pressure

Federal officials said that although the investigation has not been completed, they have concluded, based on samplings to date, that a “chronic health risk exists” for the wells in question.

“These results also show that the families ultimately need a permanent source of healthy water, which the state has so far failed to deliver,” Horwitt said. “Cabot should bear the cost of providing this, not the taxpayers.”

For more information, click here.

Moral of the story? Fracking is stupid and dangerous.