ProPublica: Scientific Study Links Flammable Drinking Water to Fracking

[marmar]

For the first time, a scientific study has linked natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing with a pattern of drinking water contamination so severe that some faucets can be lit on fire.

The peer-reviewed study, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, stands to shape the contentious debate over whether drilling is safe and begins to fill an information gap that has made it difficult for lawmakers and the public to understand the risks.

The research was conducted by four scientists at Duke University. They found that levels of flammable methane gas in drinking water wells increased to dangerous levels when those water supplies were close to natural gas wells. They also found that the type of gas detected at high levels in the water was the same type of gas that energy companies were extracting from thousands of feet underground, strongly implying that the gas may be seeping underground through natural or manmade faults and fractures, or coming from cracks in the well structure itself.

“Our results show evidence for methane contamination of shallow drinking water systems in at least three areas of the region and suggest important environmental risks accompanying shale gas exploration worldwide,” the article states. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.propublica.org/article/scientific-study-links-flammable-drinking-water-to-fracking/single#republish

[Bozita]

1. "peer-reviewed study" - The attacks from the GOPers start in 5 ... 4 ...

Recommended!

[drm604]

2. It's a conspiracy from those liberal atheist muslim communist nazi scientists!!!

You better believe it!!! :sarcasm:

Maybe the voters in western PA will finally wake up to what Republican big business policies are doing to them.

[Divernan]

3. Pro Publica is doing some excellent investigative journalism.

[uponit7771]

4. Yes, if you screw up the whole fire will come out of water. It's still safer then drilling for oil,

...needs good regulation though.

[L0oniX]

5. Watch "GasLand" ...Netfilx.

In this Oscar-nominated documentary, director Josh Fox journeys across America to examine the negative effects of natural-gas drilling, from poisoned water sources to kitchen sinks that burst into flame to unhealthy animals and people. Is natural gas a viable alternative to the country's dwindling energy resources, or do the potential harmful consequences outweigh the positives?

[Bozita]

6. Another ProPublica piece on fracking was posted here on DU yesterday...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x601667

[Bozita]

7. kicking for exposure