Date Published: 05/03/2020 [Source]
Pittsburghers old enough to remember the first Earth Day in 1970 would agree with the assertion in the April 27 letter "Natural Gas's Positive Effect on Our Air" that the air looks cleaner now than it did before. However, crediting fracking for any "positive effect" on the region's air quality is both disingenuous and dishonest.
Fracking produces large quantities of air pollution, most of it volatile organic compounds that increase cancer risk and interfere with the growth and development of children. Fracking increases levels of radon gas, carbon monoxide and fine particles that damage health. Carbon dioxide and methane, the principle greenhouse gases responsible for accelerating climate change, are abundantly produced by fracking.