Forget the quakes, what's the fracturing fluids?

The U.S. House of Representatives released a study detailing for the first time what chemicals oil and gas companies used from 2005 to 2009 in the fracturing process.  Among the chemicals being pushed into the ground, 29 known carcinogens.  Environmentalists are concerned about the groundwater.  Those in the industry say the concerns are unfounded.  

According to the report over 348,000 gallons of fluid containing carcinogen 2-Butoxyethanol was used in fracturing in Arkansas during the four years studied.  With all of the concerns about whether fracturing has been causing earthquakes in central Arkansas in recent years, this report about what is going into the ground will certainly get a closer look.  

Wall Street Journal story.

U.S. House of Representatives Report (.pdf document)