A systematic evaluation of chemicals in hydraulic-fracturing fluids and wastewater for reproductive and developmental toxicity

Abstract

Hydraulic-fracturing fluids and wastewater from unconventional oil and natural gas development contain hundreds of substances with the potential to contaminate drinking water. Challenges to conducting well-designed human exposure and health studies include limited information about likely etiologic agents. We systematically evaluated 1021 chemicals identified in hydraulic-fracturing fluids (n=925), wastewater (n=132), or both (n=36) for potential reproductive and developmental toxicity to triage those with potential for human health impact. We searched the REPROTOX database using Chemical Abstract Service registry numbers for chemicals with available data and evaluated the evidence for adverse reproductive and developmental effects. Next, we determined which chemicals linked to reproductive or developmental toxicity had water quality standards or guidelines. Toxicity information was lacking for 781 (76%) chemicals. Of the remaining 240 substances, evidence suggested reproductive toxicity for 103 (43%), developmental toxicity for 95 (40%), and both for 41 (17%). Of these 157 chemicals, 67 had or were proposed for a federal water quality standard or guideline. Our systematic screening approach identified a list of 67 hydraulic fracturing-related candidate analytes based on known or suspected toxicity. Incorporation of data on potency, physicochemical properties, and environmental concentrations could further prioritize these substances for future drinking water exposure assessments or reproductive and developmental health studies.

Maternal residential proximity to unconventional gas development and perinatal outcomes among a diverse urban population in Texas

“…Ground and surface water contamination can occur from migration of fluids through failed well casings, leakage from open pit storage, and improper disposal or treatment of wastewater [3–7]. Further, many compounds found in fracking fluid and wastewater have been indicated for their reproductive or developmental toxicity [8, 9]. Multiple air pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (e.g., toluene, benzene), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., naphthalene, benzo(a)pyrene), nitrogen oxides, ozone, and particulate matter have also been detected near unconventional drilling sites [6, 10–14].…”

Consultation is not consent: hydraulic fracturing and water governance on Indigenous lands in Canada

“…[67][68][69] But the impacts to water quality from hydraulic fracturing have been particularly significant, with emerging evidence of surface and groundwater contamination. [9][10][11][12][13]70 Some Nations now carry bottled water when going out on the land, due to new and ongoing concerns of drinking water directly from streams. 26 This environmental injustice raises a complex set of issues regarding Aboriginal rights and water governance.…”

Salting the Earth: The Environmental Impact of Oil and Gas Wastewater Spills

“…, 26 , 27 However, these studies did not necessarily include measurements of chemicals that may be very harmful at very low concentrations, says Deziel. “We need more exposure studies measuring these types of compounds.…”

“…Deziel and colleagues devised a screening approach to evaluate more than 1,000 chemicals identified in fracking fluids or wastewater to prioritize those with potential human health impacts 27 . They came up with a priority list of 67 chemicals based on known or suspected reproductive and developmental toxicity.…”