Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were developed by 3M in the 1930s as a miracle chemical that could be used in a variety of applications, such as keeping scrambled eggs from sticking to a frying pan, making rainwater roll right off a jacket, and extinguishing fires. However, as their use increased, researchers found links between PFAS and serious health issues such as birth defects, cancer, and other diseases. Due to their persistence, PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals” and can remain in water, soil, and human blood for extended periods.
Despite the scientific community’s concerns, PFAS are still used in various consumer products, including fast food containers and waterproof camping gear. A new study indicates that the usage of PFAS is particularly high in Texas. The state’s heavy reliance on these chemicals could result in severe health consequences for residents and further harm the environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for policymakers to re-examine the use of PFAS in consumer products and enforce regulations that prioritize human health and environmental safety.
A new report by Physicians for Social Responsibility has found that PFAS chemicals are widely used in oil and gas drilling in Texas. The report calls for the state to follow other states’ lead in restricting the use of these chemicals and criticizes regulations that allow energy companies to withhold information on the use of proprietary chemicals.
In response, Texas State Representative Penny Shaw Morales has filed a bill calling for a state-sponsored study on the use of PFAS in fracking and the potential public exposure through air and water. Morales Shaw believes that the report highlights shortcomings in disclosure standards and accountability regarding the manufacturing of chemical products used in fracking fluids. The study aims to determine whether PFAS should be restricted to protect public health and the environment.
A new study by Physicians for Social Responsibility has found that oil and gas companies have used at least 43,000 pounds of PFAS chemicals in over 1,000 fracked oil and gas wells in Texas over the last decade. The chemicals are used to reduce friction for drill bits as they move through the ground. The study authors noted that the volume of PFAS used in Texas was staggering compared to other states due to the scale of fracking in the state. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” can persist in water, soil, and human blood for extended periods and have been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer and birth defects. The study calls for Texas to follow other states in restricting the use of PFAS chemicals and criticized regulations that allow energy companies to withhold information on the use of proprietary chemicals. This report follows similar analyses conducted by Physicians for Social Responsibility on the use of PFAS in other states and nationally.
The study examined data from FracFocus, a national database that tracks the chemicals used in fracking. Managed by the Ground Water Protection Council, a nonprofit made up of state regulatory agencies, the database is composed of industry-reported data and contains exemptions in state and federal law that allow companies to label certain information as a trade secret. Thus, the data analyzed by the study might not reflect the full extent of PFAS contamination in Texas, according to the authors.
The study found that at least 43,000 pounds of PFAS were injected into more than a thousand fracked oil and gas wells in Texas over the past decade, with the state reporting a higher volume of PFAS use than other states due to the scale of fracking. Moreover, the study identified that 6.1 billion pounds of chemicals injected into Texas wells were classified as trade secrets, meaning that no one, including public health researchers, local environmental regulators, and landowners, knows the exact chemicals they are being exposed to.
Despite the study’s findings, industry trade groups, such as the Texas Oil and Gas Association and the Texas Chemistry Council, did not provide any comment on the matter. The use of PFAS in fracking poses environmental contamination and human exposure risks, according to the study’s authors. The fluids used in fracking are typically injected into wastewater wells or stored in pits that have a history of contaminating ground and surface water in nearby areas that people rely on.
Moreover, PFAS can become airborne if the substance is pumped into a well and then flared or vented, which is a common practice in Texas. In certain regions of Texas, such as the Fort Worth area, homes, daycares, and businesses are located in close proximity to flaring gas wells, which can lead to potential exposure to airborne PFAS that can be absorbed through the lungs and bloodstream. However, there is limited research on the effects of airborne PFAS, according to Barb Gottlieb, one of the authors.
Other states have already started banning the use of PFAS in oil wells. For instance, last year, the Colorado legislature passed a law that will prohibit the use of PFAS in fracking and other activities starting in 2024. Additionally, the federal government is looking to restrict and clean up the use of PFAS in various applications.