Uninspected Drilling Increases Health Issues

Over the past few years, drilling has been on the rise in the United States. One reason for the recent spike is the result of a new drilling method called “fracking.” a Fracking is a process were companies drill straight into the ground and then turn the drill in a horizontal direction. This is followed by high pressure water that will force cracks in the rock below to widen. Sand is then mixed with the water and keeps the cracks open resulting in gas being released and flushed back to the surface. An estimated 90% of new wells use fracking. Problem is with the recent spike in drilling, many gas and oil wells are not being properly checked by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). As a result of fracking, some of the highest priority wells in the U.S. have yet to be inspected with BLM being so overwhelmed. It is estimated that from 2009 – 2012, some 1,400 high priority wells were not inspected. To put it into perspective, 1 out of 2 wells were uninspected in South Dakota and 1 out of 6 wells for Pennsylvania. Around the U.S. 1,800 new wells were being drilled this past March alone. And the demand has yet to cease. The lack of inspections has residents across the U.S. worrying about potential health risks from leaks as the result of wells and drilling. A study from 2012, have found that people who live within a half a mile of fracking wells were at great risk for health effects with air pollution. Another study found a link between birth defects and mothers who live within 10 miles of fracked locations while pregnant. If you or someone you love has been affected from the result of fracking, call Toledo personal injury attorneys, Williams DeClark Tuschman at 419-719-5195. Will me more than happy to answer any questions you may have and will assist you in the next course of action.