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Ohioans Split on Health Concerns of Fracking
CINCINNATI -- Supporters of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, see it as new revenue for Ohio and a chance to create high-paying jobs. Opponents are concerned about the impact of this type of drilling, including the chemicals used in the process, on the environment and the health of those living near fracking sites.
The 2012 Ohio Health Issues Poll asked Ohioans what they knew about fracking, and about their health concerns related to fracking. The poll is sponsored by The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati.
Most Ohio adults said they knew a little (32%) or nothing at all (31%) about fracking, while 37% said they knew a lot. Of those who had heard of fracking, more than half think that fracking is happening in their region.
The process of fracking injects water, sand and chemicals into rock formations to create cracks in the rocks, releasing oil or natural gas. Existing and planned wells in Ohio are predominantly in the eastern part of the state.
“According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, fracking permits have been issued almost exclusively in northeast and southeast Ohio, with one permit in central Ohio,” said Jennifer Chubinski, director of community research for the Health Foundation. “A majority of respondents in northeast and southeast Ohio knew that fracking is happening in their region. However, in other regions, many respondents also reported that fracking is happening in their part of the state.”
Ohioans familiar with fracking were almost evenly split when asked if they thought fracking poses a threat to the health of the general public; 38% said fracking does not cause a health threat, and 36% said that it does. Some 26% said they didn’t know.
“The conclusion we can reach from these data is that Ohioans still have much to learn about fracking -- about what it is, where it is and what it means,” Chubinski noted.
For more information about the Ohio Health Issues Poll, go to this website.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.