Fracking Affects Your Athens Community

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Rural Appalachia is a major site of fracking because it is “abundant in natural resources”, which is a similar reason the region is most popular for coal mining. Like coal mining, fracking is a major industry and a major source of employment throughout Appalachia. Fracking is also extremely hazardous, creates toxic waste, is prone to mass spills and leaks, and creates long term effects for workers, surrounding populations, and the environment/Earth.

A study outlines that fracking contributes to toxic air pollution and hazardous ground-level ozone layers. High concentrations of volatile organic compounds which are known to be carcinogenic are found in the air surrounding fracking sites. The study says that, “More than 200 airborne chemical contaminants have been detected near drilling and fracking sites. Of these, 61 are classified as hazardous air pollutants, including carcinogens; 26 are endocrine-disrupting compounds that have been linked to reproductive, developmental, and neurological damage”(Concerned Health Professionals of NY). Waste-fluid from fracking is a significant source of water contamination. PFA chemicals (polyfluoroalkyl substances) found in fracking waste water are tied to cancers and other health effects are another major concern. Fracking waste can also contain radioactive matter, and the ODNR found that "fracking waste can be found in the environment for thousands of years and cause bone, liver, and breast cancer" (Dani Kington, Athens County Independent). Leaks and discharge of waste affect not only communities around the sites, but the land and wildlife as well. Waste-fluid injection wells are a major source of contamination in groundwater, and are also usually placed in low-income and marginalized communities.

I find it alarming that our own home of Athens County is an example of a community at risk of the harmful effects of fracking. Athens County is one of the poorest counties in Ohio, being a rural area lying in the Appalachian belt. In the past year, a fracking waste injection site in Torch, Ohio was suspended due to unsafe Class II injection wells. Faulty and unsafe wells can heavily affect our groundwater, and Appalachia is no stranger to hazardous chemical leaks affecting water sources, specifically referencing DuPont out of Parkersburg. The Athens Independent says that, "Activists refer to Appalachian Ohio as the region’s “dumping ground for toxic waste.”". I feel like many weren't aware of these wells in the first place, let alone know of their possible hazards. 

Health effects are not the only form of harm done by fracking. Economically alone, fracking affects adults in Appalachia due to a decrease in jobs after the fracking boom. Tied with other economic issues that Appalachians face, access to jobs, food, housing, transportation, and more can cause significant harm to families. Economic disparities exacerbated by fracking contribute to a growing problem of STD’s and crime (Concerned Health Professionals of NY).  Adverse birth outcomes, long term serious health issues, cancers, and more affect those near fracking sites. Overall, its clear that environmental justice is a major issue for already historically disenfranchised Appalachians. Through continued neglect of land and their resources, they are at a disadvantage. Effects from fracking harm their ability to thrive in a multitude of ways, and clearly impacts their beautiful land and their people for generations. This environmental issue is no doubt an illustration of power dynamics. Capitalist companies are given priority and lenient regulations to further productions etc.etc, while the communities they are in are suffering. Our lawmakers and policymakers are allowing this, I have strong hope for Athens County and Appalachian activists to continue in fighting the neglect and unsafe practices happening here!

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