Environmental Issues Faced by Business and Society

Fracking Student: Professor: Course title: Date: Introduction Commonly referred to as fracking, hydraulic fracturing is a process that is used to obtain natural gas from rocks underground. The process involves use of a fluid which is put under immense pressure and directed to the rocks underground. Due to the massive pressure in the fluid, the rocks break off releasing natural gas. Fracking is a common practice in many parts of the world. Yet, concerns have been continually raised on the impact of this procedure on the environment (Obbo, 2013) There are some jurisdictions where this process has since been banned in a bid to conserve the environment. Due to the environmental and legal concerns raised, hydraulic fracturing remains a contentious issue. This discussion has focused on some of the legal and environmental concerns raised in regard to hydraulic fracturing. Environmental Concerns One of the main environmental concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing is that majority of the fluids that are used to exert pressure on the rocks have toxic chemicals. This makes the natural gas that is released into the atmosphere equally toxic and therefore hazardous. People working and living near the mines have often suffered from respiratory complications arising from the toxic gases released into the air. Companies involved in these processes are aware that they should use fluids that are free from toxics (Spellman, 2012). However, they are adamant to change the fluids they use because toxic fluids are said to hasten the speed of the reaction hence shortening the process. Large water bodies also stand at a risk of facing contamination from hydraulic fracturing. The toxic chemicals that are used in the fracturing process are then released into large water bodies (Fink, 2013). They tend to interfere with aquatic life and more often lead to extinction of aquatic biodiversity. In addition, part of the water from large water bodies end up in residential houses for domestic consumption. This has the effect of causing diseases among a large number of people.  The manner in which the by-products of fracking are disposed is yet another issue of environmental concern. Companies involved in these processes are not keen enough to ensure that they treat their water before releasing it. This means that there is a trickle effect on all the areas where the by-products of the process pass through. The effect of the toxic chemicals on the ozone layer h...