What does "hydraulic fracturing" pose a risk for?

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a method used to extract natural gas and oil from underground rock formations. One of the main concerns associated with this process is the potential for groundwater contamination. During fracking, a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is injected into the ground at high pressure to create fractures in the rock, allowing fossil fuels to flow more freely.

The chemicals used in this fluid can potentially migrate into nearby groundwater supplies, posing significant health risks to communities that rely on this water for drinking and irrigation. Contaminants can include various toxic and hazardous substances, which may lead to long-term environmental and public health issues.

While other concerns like pest infestations or reduced water table levels may be relevant in broader environmental discussions, the direct risk of groundwater contamination from the chemicals employed in hydraulic fracturing is a more immediate and pressing concern tied specifically to this extraction method. Thus, this is considered the most significant risk posed by hydraulic fracturing.