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Science And The Fracking Boom: Missing Answers

Battlement Mesa Concerned Citizens formed to press local officials to take action in monitoring emissions from the fracking industry across the valley near Parachute Creek, CO.
David Gilkey
/
NPR
Battlement Mesa Concerned Citizens formed to press local officials to take action in monitoring emissions from the fracking industry across the valley near Parachute Creek, CO.

Science And The Fracking Boom: Missing Answers

A natural gas boom is underway in the U.S., with more than 200,000 wells drilled in the last decade.

In states like Colorado, Texas, and Pennsylvania, residents who live close to the natural gas bonanza have the same questions: What kind of pollutants is the industrial activity putting into their water and air, and are those pollutants making them sick?

NPR's science desk & KUNC explore why there aren't solid answers to those questions yet...