Fracking jobs pay great but the risk from explosions and chemical exposure is high

by TXsharon on July 26, 2012

in Explosions, Frack Sand

Four workers in Illinois were injured, three seriously, when preparations for a frack job went wrong and a tank exploded.

Exposure to cancer causing silica is high and the toxins could kill you.

Here’s a video I made a couple of years ago that shows the silica floating across the fence line. The comments are entertaining.

I’m pretty sure people assembling solar panels and windmills don’t have to worry much about explosions and exposure to carcinogens. Too bad we sent those good jobs to China.

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

Fracking Crazy July 26, 2012 at 9:08 am

I will continue to remind everyone, we need to pace ourselves.

This isn’t a game of she said, he said, these are indisputable facts.

Yesterday I realized, why don’t they use the sand from “tar sands” to frac?!

Then, the beautiful rolling hills of SE MN and WI can be left alone. The only area that was unscathed by the Ice Age.

I strongly feel, if fossil fuels are needed in excess to extract fossil fuels, then, if we just stop extracting fossil fuels, we’ll save a lot more fossil fuels.

Do the math on Trucks:
Frac Trucks
Sand Trucks
Nat Gas to treat the Tar Sands
Nat Gas to treat the Sand.

It’s more bullshit than anyone can imagine.

Please stop using fossil fuels in your home to clean and your body to lubricate.

It’s a good, clean start.
Thank You.

Reply

john bozeman July 26, 2012 at 2:10 pm

Sharon-I guess you didn’t see where the EPA stated they found no evidence of frac chemicals in drinking water (again) I don’t doubt that dislocations (as opposed to disasters) happen and we should all try to lessen the effect. I just think you go way overboard.

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TXsharon July 26, 2012 at 3:28 pm

Dear John,

Release all the records in the many non disclosure agreements then let’s talk about evidence. We actually do have evidence though from the Ruggieros (not to mention Pavillion).

Before the Ruggieros became the latest in a long like of people who say “the matter has been resolved and that is all I can say about that matter,” they shared with me and I shared with the world substantial documentation of harm. In that documentation is a baseline water test that proves their water was safe and clean shortly before fracking. Shortly after fracking their water had very high levels of MTBE and additive used in diesel fuel. Golly, wonder how that got in their water.

I don’t feel inclined to take advice from someone who works for an industry that is exempt from 7 major federal environmental laws that allow it to operate in a manner that would be illegal for other industries. I also don’t feel inclined to take advice from someone who claims that the oil & gas industry receives no subsidies. Talk about going overboard…

As always, thank you for commenting. You comments go a long way to help prove my case.

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Dale July 26, 2012 at 4:06 pm

I’ve noticed how people who work in industry are starting to comment more often suggesting that Sharon ease up a little. That’s when you need to turn it on full blast.

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john bozeman July 26, 2012 at 2:19 pm

BTW-I googled carcinogens in solar panels and it turns out that many of them have lead and cadmium in them. There is a good deal of concern about the long tems effects of building, using, and especially, disposing of them. As for windmills, I guess there really is no danger in working on a 100-plus foot tall towebuilt in the windiest spot you can find. That doesn’t mean that we should stop using either technology. (the fact that they can’t PAY for themselves IS a reason not to use them) You can’t go anywhere without some risk and, occaisionally some actual loss.

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TXsharon July 26, 2012 at 2:49 pm

All forms of energy have a cost so we should all strive to use less but you really can’t honestly compare exposure and danger from wind to solar to fracking. Admirably try though.

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GhostBlogger July 27, 2012 at 11:37 am

When was the last time you saw a headline saying: “Thousand of seabirds coated with wheat after grain ship runs aground”?

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Pipeline+defenders+show+questionable+logic/6999554/story.html#ixzz21qE86sub

And, when was the last time you saw a solar panel leaking lead or cadmium after installation?

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Tom January 28, 2013 at 5:40 pm

If we factored in all the real costs of fossil fuel extraction and use, from cancer, air pollution, land destruction, etc, etc, and worst of all, to actually destroying the livability of our one and only planet through climate change, I think the fossil fuel industry would be the one that couldn’t pay for itself. The Koch Brothers and Exxon have a lot of money, but even they can’t afford to buy themselves a new earth once they’ve fully trashed this one.

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john bozeman July 26, 2012 at 4:13 pm

Your the one that said you thought there was no exposure. Even though there are some toxic issues, I didn’t say we shouldn use solar if and when it makes economic sense. As to subsidies, all you have presented istax deductions taken by all businessmen. If you would cool off a little bit, I bet we could find a little common ground. I actually have some good friends who are liberals and some are even lawyers. Are you aware that the wind industry uses oilfield leasing techniques and wind rights are a separate estate ? Some day soon,(if not already) a family is going to face having a huge, loud, tower in their front yard. Will you be as mean to the wind guys ?

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WCGasette July 26, 2012 at 5:41 pm

“I actually have some good friends who are liberals and some are even lawyers. ”

Once you’ve been affected in some way by all of this…you are quick to understand the stakes are very high and call it whatever you will…it’s got a lot of problems and it has already changed many lives forever in North Texas. Congratulations for having some “liberal” friends and for even having some “lawyer” friends. Maybe there’s real hope for you. Oh, it’s “you’re” not “your.” Looks like you need some grammar friends, too. Good Luck.

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TXsharon July 26, 2012 at 9:08 pm

I guess I’m just a big old meanie.

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Fracking Crazy July 28, 2012 at 7:30 am

You’re on of the kindest, most caring person I know.

I feel so blessed that you are here.

Thank you for speaking up for hundreds of millions of people.

We are all grateful for your work,
…..some of them just don’t know it, yet….

Keep it up!! I’m in your corner!!

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Robert Beal December 29, 2013 at 1:04 pm

In the video, the 40 tons of chemicals per 1 million gallons of frack water is almost 1%, almost twice the agency claim of 0.5%.

Reply

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