Quantum chemically calculated magnetically induced probability current density vectors in benzene. Wikimedia Commons
As noted in my post March 24, here, the petrochemical industry says,
“Trust us. The Fracking fluids are water mixed with sand, a few other chemicals, and 5% is household chemicals, like chlorine and benzine.”
The thing is, chlorine and benzene are hazardous. So when the people in the petrochemical industry imply, “This is safe,” because it is household chemicals, I don’t know what they mean. And as documented elsewhere in the series, here, pollution from Fracking is not regulated at the Federal level.
As noted by the US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration, OSHA, and the NY State Department of Health, Chlorine (CDC / NY Dept. of Health) and Benzene (CDC / OSHA) are toxic and hazardous chemicals.
“When chlorine enters the body as a result of breathing, swallowing, or skin contact, it reacts with water to produce acids. The acids are corrosive and damage cells in the body on contact.” So dangerous, in fact, that it was used as a chemical weapon during World War I (here).
Benzene is also dangerous, CDC / OSHA.
It is also carcinogenic. OSHA exposure limits for Benzene 1 ppm in 8 hours TWA (Total Weight Average), 5 ppm STEL (Short Term Exposure Limits) as defined here.
According to the CDC,
- People who breathe in high levels of benzene may develop the following signs and symptoms within minutes to several hours:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Headaches
- Tremors
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
- Death (at very high levels)
- Eating foods or drinking beverages containing high levels of benzene can cause the following symptoms within minutes to several hours:
- Vomiting
- Irritation of the stomach
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Convulsions
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Death (at very high levels)
Part 5 in a Series.
- L. Furman, 3/12/13, Hydro Fracturing, aka Fracking, Dirty & Ugly, but What Choice do we Have?
- L. Furman, 3/14/13, Fracking,Best Practices versus Current Practice
- L. Furman, 3/18/13, Fracking – Above the Law
- L. Furman, 3/24/13, Fracking – Scientifically Proven Clean – But Is It Junk Science?
- L. Furman, 7/2/13, Fracking – As Clean as Chlorine & Benzene
—
A candidate for General Assembly (Site / Join / Contribute) to represent NJ Legislative District 12, I hold a Bachelor’s in Biology and an MBA in “Managing for Sustainability” from Marlboro College. I can be reached at “Larry @ Furman For New Jersey . com” or “‘L Furman 97” @ G Mail.