Environmental and Occupational Health Impacts from Hydraulic Fracturing

Georgi Popov, PhD, QEP, CMC University of Central Missouri

gpopov@ucmo.edu

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.

Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm#sustainability

The three dimensions (pillars) of sustainability

Source: http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/docs/framework-for-sustainability-indicators-at-epa.pdf

Natural gas

Climate change challenge means that we have to use all available energy sources more efficiently. West Virginia coal mine collapse in 2010 and the oil spill in the Gulf have renewed people's interest in other energy sources, like natural gas.

Natural gas, offers sustainable solutions to the world’s economic and environmental challenges.

Natural gas is a cleaner fuel than Coal

Hydraulic Fracturing

With the introduction of hydraulic fracturing technology, the United States has become the largest natural gas producer in the world with significant percentage of the production coming from shale deposits. Source: http://www.eia.gov/naturalgas/crudeoilreserves/

Hydraulic Fracturing

http://www2.epa.gov/hfstudy/hydraulic-fracturing-water-cycle

http://greenplug.nu/hydraulic-fracturing-what-is-hydraulic-fracturing/

HF Site

http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/03_08_2013_gLcn1RQ118_03_08_2013_1#.Va5dtvlViko

http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/hydraulic-fracturing/

Hydraulic Fracturing

Fracking Definition: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fracking

Hydraulic fracturing is a process used to "stimulate" well production in the oil and gas industry. The process involves pumping large volumes of water, sand and chemicals into a well at high pressure to “fracture” shale and other tight formations, allowing oil and gas to flow into the well.

Environmental Hazards: Methane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW6Fw8bLIu0

Environmental Hazards: Methane

The Natural Gas STAR Program is a flexible, voluntary partnership that encourages oil and natural gas companies—both domestically and abroad—to adopt cost-effective technologies and practices that improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and clean energy source. For information on the technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas systems, please visit http://www.epa.gov/gasstar/tools/recommended.html.

http://www.epa.gov/gasstar/

Environmental Hazards

Source: http://www.nrdc.org/health/files/fracking-air-pollution-IB.pdf

Environmental Hazards

Source: http://www.nrdc.org/health/files/fracking-air-pollution-IB.pdf

Environmental Hazards

Source: http://www.nrdc.org/health/files/fracking-air-pollution-IB.pdf

Environmental Hazards

Source: http://www.nrdc.org/health/files/fracking-air-pollution-IB.pdf

Environmental Hazards

Source: http://www.nrdc.org/health/files/fracking-air-pollution-IB.pdf

VOCs

Health Hazards

Top 10 Constituents of HFFs Ranked by Reports of Use

Source: JOEH Assessment of the Acute and Chronic Health Hazards of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids

H&S

In addition to silica hazards, workers may be exposed to other worksite health hazards that can include exposure to diesel particulate and exhaust gases from equipment, high or low temperature extremes, high noise levels, and overexertion leading to sprains and strains. In addition, fatigue may be a concern due to long working hours. Hydraulic fracturing sites also have safety hazards similar to those at other oil and gas drilling sites, including:

Being struck by moving equipment, including motor vehicle accidents (primarily when traveling to and between well sites), tools, and falling objects.

Poor lighting.

Being caught in pinch points (such as hammer union wings and hammers, pump iron, and racks).

Falling from heights.

EHS price of Fracking

Selected hydraulic fracturing environmental, health and safety hazards.

MS Excel RA Model

Source: https://www.osha.gov/dts/hazardalerts/hydraulic_frac_hazard_alert.html