USDA: Protect Food Animals From Fracking Poisons
- by: Susan V
- recipient: USDA
The Nation and Food & Environment Reporting Network recently found a link between fracking and illness in food animals, with many dying from exposure to fracking chemicals and others suffering reproductive, neurological and gastrointestinal damage.
But even as evidence of harm increases, lobby groups like Energy in Depth are stepping up to dismiss such concerns, using researchers' inability to access data about fracking chemicals as an excuse to discredit their findings.
By allowing what's called the Halliburton Loophole to shroud the fracking process in secrecy, the government has failed to take the proper steps to protect us all from its effects.
Tell USDA it must protect food animals -- and us -- from fracking poisons.
We, the undersigned, expect the government to protect us, our animals, our environment and our food from chemical exposures associated with hydraulic fracturing.
For too long the government has allowed loopholes that, according to The Nation, have exempted energy companies from key provisions of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts, the Toxics Release Inventory, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires a full review of actions that may cause significant environmental impacts.
As a result there have been far too many “accidents” and deaths connected to this process, and unless stricter regulations are put into place, there will no doubt be many more, along with life-threatening illnesses among animals and humans and further destruction of air and water quality.
One of those who conducted the study that showed a link between food animal illness and fracking chemical exposures - the study being criticized by fracking proponents for deficiencies - explains that the secrecy surrounding the chemicals being used is getting in the way of doing better studies. “If scientists and citizens can’t find out precisely what is in drilling or fracking fluids or air emissions at any given time,” Michelle Bamberger explains, “it’s difficult to test whether any contaminants have migrated into the water, soil or food—and whether they can harm humans.”
Even though some states have adopted tighter regulations on well linings, and the Obama administration has recently required disclosure of fracking chemicals used on public lands, states have different rules for fracking on private land. And the industry is still allowed to keep info about concentrations and quantities of chemicals, as well as compounds considered proprietary, secret, says The Nation, adding that “no state requires a company to disclose its ingredients until a fracking job is complete.”
With More than 75 percent of the identified 632 chemicals used in natural gas production having the potential to affect sensory organs, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems; 40 to 50 percent with potential to harm the kidneys and nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems; 37 percent that affect hormones; and 25 percent linked to cancer or mutations (Theo Colburn), there is no doubt that fracking chemicals can cause serious harm to humans and animals. Furthermore, as The Nation points out, “...the technology to extract gas from shale has advanced faster, and with a lot more public funding, than has the study of its various effects.”
Clearly, this practice has gone on too long without proper government regulation, with too many loopholes and surrounded by too much secrecy.
The USDA must step in now and protect food animals and us from these harmful fracking chemicals!
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