Fracking operations by a Pittsburgh company in West Virginia have led to severe health complaints from local families, sparking a federal investigation.
Quinn Glabicki reports for PublicSource.
In short:
- EQT’s fracking activities in Knob Fork, West Virginia precede a $5.2 billion company expansion and result in severe health issues for local families, causing them to abandon their homes.
- Investigations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have identified leaks and unexpected emissions, with EQT’s operations releasing harmful VOCs known to cause serious health effects.
- The affected families, documenting symptoms and VOC exposure, face challenges from state regulators and EQT, which asserts its operations are safe.
Key quote:
"Our home is no longer a home. It is a place of sickness, confusion and sadness.”
— Abby Tennant, resident of Knob Fork
Why this matters:
Fracking can lead to a boom in local economies; however, the experiences in Knob Fork underscore the potential risks to community health and well-being from fracking operations, bringing into question the balance between energy pursuits and environmental protection.
Be sure to read EHN's series: Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking.
