What chemicals are released during fracking?

Fracking can release dangerous petroleum hydrocarbons, including benzene and xylene. It also increases ground-level ozone levels, raising people’s risk of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

What is industrial fracking?

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” as it is more commonly known, is just one small method of the broader process of unconventional development of oil and natural gas. Fracking is a proven drilling technology used for extracting oil, natural gas, geothermal energy, or water from deep underground.

Is fracking legal in South Africa?

Opposition to hydraulic fracturing in South Africa led to the government-imposed moratorium on fracking in 2011. Since the moratorium has been lifted, opposition has continued. This has led to ongoing debate on what regulations will be imposed, who will enforce them, and how they will be enforced.

What are the major concerns regarding fracking in South Africa?

The greatest risk is that the fracking fluid leaks into the surface water and shallow aquifers used by people, livestock and the ecosystem, due to inadequate sealing of the upper parts of the borehole, or following a spill on the surface. These risks can be reduced, but not eliminated, by good engineering.

How many chemicals are used in fracking fluid?

1,084 different chemicals
Despite the fact that most fracking fluid chemicals are considered “proprietary” to the company responsible for the fracking, the EPA has identified 1,084 different chemicals reported as being used in these formulas.

When did fracking start in South Africa?

In South Africa fracking has been the subject of heated debate. In 2010, international oil companies such as Shell SA, Bundu Gas & Oil and Falcon Gas & Oil, applied for shale gas exploration permits in the Karoo.

Where is shale gas found in South Africa?

the Karoo Basin
South Africa’s shale gas resources are located in the Karoo Basin, which covers nearly two-thirds of South Africa. Estimates of recoverable resources in the Karoo have varied widely over the years. For example, one recent estimate found 40 times less shale gas in the Karoo than previously thought.

What are the six main types of chemicals used in fracking?

The chemicals that gas companies use – which can include water, sand, salt, citric acid, benzene or lead, according to a federal report – can be hazardous if not properly isolated and stored.

How can fracking chemicals affect the human body?

Fracking sites release a toxic stew of air pollution that includes chemicals that can cause severe headaches, asthma symptoms, childhood leukemia, cardiac problems, and birth defects. In addition, many of the 1,000-plus chemicals used in fracking are harmful to human health—some are known to cause cancer.