Is fracking poisoning our children? Researchers raise money from public to investigate

Could chemicals from fracking be contaminating water supplies with hormone disrupting chemicals? Scientists at University of Missouri—Columbia and Duke University are raising money through crowdfunding platform Experiment to find out.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of injecting up to several million gallons of water and up to tens of thousands of gallons of chemicals under high pressure to extract oil and gas. Previous studies have found that exposure to fracking fluid, via spills or disposal, is associated with adverse health outcomes like nervous and respiratory disease, cancer, and congenital heart defects in babies. Pregnant women and children are particularly at risk.

"We have little information about the impact of fracking on water quality and human health, and thus an urgent need for our research study," said Nagel. "This is a first step towards protecting the health of our children."

Through Experiment's platform, Nagel and her team are sharing progress reports in real-time. When backers give money to the project, they receive behind-the-scenes access to research updates, and recognition in the published results.

If fully funded, the researchers will analyze water samples and interview residents in fracking areas. Their findings could factor into policy decisions around the safety of hydraulic fracturing.

The project has 9 days remaining to meet a funding target of $25,000. So far, they have raised $19,254 with the help of 59 backers.

Experiment recently surpassed $800,000 in total research funding raised. The site has been featured in The Economist, Forbes, Nature, and The New York Times.

More information:
Researcher Contact Info:
Dr. Susan C. Nagel
email: nagels@missouri.edu, twitter: @SusanCNagel

Project Link:
experiment.com/projects/does-f … disrupting-chemicals

Provided by Experiment