Fracking operations leave West Virginia families in distress

Fracking operations by a Pittsburgh company in West Virginia have led to severe health complaints from local families, sparking a federal investigation.

Quinn Glabicki reports for PublicSource.

In short:

EQT’s fracking activities in Knob Fork, West Virginia precede a $5.2 billion company expansion and result in severe health issues for local families, causing them to abandon their homes.
Investigations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have identified leaks and unexpected emissions, with EQT’s operations releasing harmful VOCs known to cause serious health effects.
The affected families, documenting symptoms and VOC exposure, face challenges from state regulators and EQT, which asserts its operations are safe.

Key quote:

"Our home is no longer a home. It is a place of sickness, confusion and sadness.”

— Abby Tennant, resident of Knob Fork

Why this matters:

Fracking can lead to a boom in local economies; however, the experiences in Knob Fork underscore the potential risks to community health and well-being from fracking operations, bringing into question the balance between energy pursuits and environmental protection.

Be sure to read EHN's series: Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking.

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Fracking operations leave West Virginia families in distress

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