Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as hydraulic fracturing, is a widespread practice in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing is a method used to extract oil and natural gas. Scientists and citizens are reporting harmful side effects of hydraulic drilling. New York and Vermont have banned fracking statewide. Maryland has placed a two-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, so that more research can be conducted to show the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on the environment. Nationally, many other cities and counties have also banned fracking. All states should seek to find alternative energy sources, instead of resorting to devastating practices like hydraulic fracturing to extract non-renewable resources. Hydraulic fracturing is a technique that combines water mixed with chemicals. EnergyFromShale.org shows that the fluid mixture is 90% water, 9.5% proppants such as sand, and 0.5% chemical additives. Some of the chemicals present in this mixture are: sodium chloride, ethylene glycol, borate salts, sodium carbonate, guar gum and isopropanol. Proponents of fracking will have you believe that the chemicals used are essentially harmless and present in such small quantities that they have negligible side effects. On the CDC website, ethylene glycol is described as an odorless liquid with a sweet taste. Once ingested, it breaks down into toxic compounds. A person's central nervous system, heart and kidneys are affected. Large amounts of ethylene glycol can be fatal. Although many claim that the 0.5% amount of chemicals used is such a small amount, these are traceable amounts. Additionally, drilling companies are supposed to process fracking fluid before it is injected into the ground, allowed to dissipate, or released into surface waters. The EPA says the backflow is properly treated before disposal and is regulated by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. After treatment, the EPA's Underground Injection Control Program is supposed to regulate the flowback injected underground to eliminate it (epa.gov. Conflicting reports make it difficult to discern how detrimental this practice is to the environment and people What is known is that hydraulic fracturing uses phenomenal amounts of water, which is becoming a scarce resource in many parts of the country. There is no doubt that the fluid used in the fracking process. Hydraulic water contains chemicals and that, when released into water supplies, has negative effects on these sources. Injection of flowback material into deep wells has been definitively linked to increased water supply. Seismic activity. Damage to roads from high traffic of trucks transporting equipment and products is astronomical. Worldwide, four countries have banned the practice outright and others are awaiting further research. be done before continuing to authorize it. A few states are aware of the devastating side effects of this practice and have banned hydraulic fracturing. While there is no doubt that fracking can produce resources used by Americans, many doubts remain about whether or not it is safe. Hopefully the country will follow those who banned the practice and adopt other, safer forms of energy.