Hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, is a common practice in the United States. Fracking is a method used to extract oil and natural gas. Scientists and citizens denounce the harmful side effects of hydraulic drilling. New York and Vermont have banned fracking statewide. Maryland has placed a two-year moratorium on fracking so more research can be done to show the impacts of fracking on the environment. Nationwide, many other cities and counties have also banned fracking. All states should seek to find alternative sources of energy, instead of using devastating practices like fracking to extract non-renewable resources. Hydraulic fracturing is a technique that combines water mixed with chemicals, and EnergyFromShale.org shows that the fluid mixture is made up of 90% water, 9.5% proppants such as sand, and 0.5% from chemical additives. Some of the chemicals found in this mixture are: sodium chloride, ethylene glycol, borate salts, sodium carbonate, guar gum, and isopropanol. Proponents of fracking will lead you to believe that the chemicals used are essentially harmless and present in such small quantities as to have negligible side effects. On the CDC website, ethylene glycol is described as an odorless liquid with a sweet taste. When ingested it decomposes into toxic compounds. A person's central nervous system, heart, and kidneys are affected. Large quantities of ethylene glycol can be deadly. Although many say that the 0.5% amount of chemicals used is such a small amount, these are traceable amounts. Additionally, drilling companies should treat fracturing fluid before it is injected into the ground, allowed to dissipate, or released into surface waters. The EPA states that the return flow is properly treated before being disposed of and that it is regulated by the National Pollutant Elimination System. After treatment, the EPA Underground Injection Control program is supposed to regulate the flow that is injected underground to dispose of it (epa.gov., Conflicting reports make it difficult to discern how harmful this practice is to the environment and people. What is known is that fracking 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 contains chemicals and, when released into water supplies, has adverse effects on them. sources. Injection of flowback materials into deep wells has been definitively linked to increased seismic activity. Damage to roads due to heavy truck traffic carrying equipment and products is astronomical they have completely banned the practice and others are waiting for more research to get it done before they continue to allow it. Some states know the devastating side effects that come with this practice and have banned hydraulic fracturing. While there is no doubt that fracking can produce resources used by Americans, there are many questions about whether it is safe or not. Hopefully, the country will follow those who have banned the practice and adopt other, safer forms of energy