Drilling fluid misrepresented

In reality, "fracking" fluid is laced with volatile chemicals, such as benzene and toluene, and toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, arsenic, barium, lead and mercury, according to Wilma Subra, a nationally recognized environmental chemist who spoke recently in Ithaca. Water mixed with these ingredients is forced deep into the earth where it mixes with other toxic substances such as radioactive radium 226 and 228. All of these metals and chemicals are established or suspected carcinogens.

Every million gallons of fracking fluid contain 40,000 pounds of these lethal substances. And every gas well, for example the one that might be drilled on your land or your neighbor's land, can use up to 9 million gallons of contaminated fluid per fracking episode. Where is the pure water used in fracking fluid going to come from and where is the contaminated soup that results going to go?

The writer concludes by saying, "The oil and gas industry is deeply concerned about protecting New York's environment...." Want to bet your life on it?

Ken Zeserson Judy Abrams

Concerned Citizens of Ulysses

Source: http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090721/VIEWPOINTS03/907210302/-1/