EPA’s Approval of PFAS in Fracking: Health Risks, Secrecy, and Controversy
An in-depth look at the EPA’s secret approval of PFAS chemicals for fracking and the urgent call for public transparency.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often dubbed “forever chemicals,” are highly persistent synthetic compounds linked to significant health and environmental threats. In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) secretly approved chemicals for use in hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) that can break down into PFAS. This approval remained largely undisclosed until a 2021 investigation by Physicians for Social Responsibility revealed its extent and prompted renewed scrutiny of fracking regulations and chemical disclosure practices.
Understanding PFAS: Toxicity and Environmental Persistence
PFAS are a class of manmade chemicals distinguished by their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them extraordinarily persistent in the environment.
Key characteristics:
- Resistance to degradation, hence the “forever chemicals” moniker
- Toxicity at very low exposures
- Bioaccumulate and biomagnify up food chains
- Linked to cancer, birth defects, pre-eclampsia, and other serious health outcomes
PFAS have historically been used in a wide array of products, including nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, and industrial applications. Their use in fracking, however, brings these contaminants directly into water sources and nearby communities.
EPA’s Secret Approval and Internal Warnings
In 2011, EPA regulators approved chemicals for use in fracking that can degrade into PFAS such as PFOA and related compounds that are known to be highly toxic.
According to EPA documents obtained by Physicians for Social Responsibility:
- The EPA had explicitly expressed concerns that these chemicals “will persist in the environment, could bioaccumulate or biomagnify, and could be toxic (PBT) to people, wild mammals, and birds based on data on analog chemicals, including PFOA.”
- Despite these warnings and questions about their environmental fate, the chemicals were nevertheless approved for commercial use in oil and gas extraction activities.
- The EPA’s approval process was shrouded in secrecy, with many documents heavily redacted on the grounds of protecting proprietary business information.
Where Were PFAS Chemicals Used in Fracking?
The report revealed that PFAS and their precursor chemicals were injected into nearly 1,200 fracking wells from 2012 to 2020 across six states:
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Wyoming
Additional disclosures indicate possible usage in Pennsylvania’s unconventional gas wells, where hundreds of millions of pounds of chemicals—some likely PFAS—were injected and their identities withheld as trade secrets.
Health Risks and Communities at Risk
PFAS exposure is associated with a range of adverse health outcomes:
- Cancer
- Birth defects
- Pre-eclampsia
- Endocrine disruption
- Immune system impacts
Since PFAS are resistant to degradation and persist in groundwater, surface water, and soil, their introduction via fracking threatens not only site workers but also nearby communities and environments that rely on the integrity of local water tables.
Contaminated wastewater from fracking operations can travel miles from the well site for disposal, further spreading the risk.
Industry Secrecy: Trade Secrets and Redacted Records
The investigation showed that oil and gas companies, including major operators like ExxonMobil and Chevron, asked for both their names and the chemicals’ identities—including unique chemical Abstract Service (CAS) numbers—to be redacted in EPA documentation, claiming these as trade secrets. This practice is permitted under current regulations and greatly restricts public knowledge of which hazardous substances have been used and where.
What others are reading
| Fracking Wells | PFAS/Precursor Chemicals Used | Company Identity | Reported Health Concerns | State Disclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~1,200 | PFAS, PTFE (Teflon), trade secret chemicals | Often redacted | Cancer, birth defects, immune impacts | Some states rely on industry self-reporting (e.g., FracFocus), many chemicals undisclosed |
This lack of transparency makes it virtually impossible for natural resource managers or nearby residents to know what chemicals were used, where contamination risk is highest, or even which companies to hold accountable.
Industry Response and Regulatory Perspective
- The American Petroleum Institute (API) maintains that PFAS are used rarely in fracking and only at “extremely low levels,” emphasizing the industry’s existing safety measures: well-bore integrity, chemical containment, hazard assessments, and operational best practices.
- API spokespersons claim a continued commitment to using science-based measures, seeking to limit use where possible and mitigate risks.
- EPA, in response to revelations, has stated that current policies demand safety affirmation for new chemicals before market entry, but legacy approvals (such as those made in 2011) remain a contentious issue.
Public Health Advocacy and Call for Reform
Physicians for Social Responsibility and other environmental health advocates argue that the EPA and state governments must move swiftly to:
- Notify the public about where PFAS fracking chemicals have been used
- Protect populations and environments from further exposure
- Reform chemical disclosure laws to prevent similar secrecy and risk in the future
“The evidence that people could be unknowingly exposed to these extremely toxic chemicals through oil and gas operations is disturbing,” notes Dusty Horwitt of Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About PFAS in Fracking
Q: What are PFAS, and why are they called “forever chemicals”?
A: PFAS are a family of synthetic chemicals with exceptionally strong molecular bonds that resist breakdown. They persist in the environment for decades, earning the nickname “forever chemicals.”
Q: How are PFAS used in fracking?
A: PFAS and their precursor chemicals may be included in fracking fluids to improve well performance, flow, or reduce friction. Once injected, these can contaminate groundwater or surface water sources.
Q: What health risks are associated with PFAS exposure near fracking sites?
A: PFAS exposure is linked to cancer, birth defects, pregnancy complications, immune dysfunction, and more.
Q: Which states have confirmed usage of PFAS in fracking?
A: Confirmed use has occurred in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming, and likely Pennsylvania.
Q: Why are chemical identities kept secret?
A: Industry reports to EPA and states often redact chemical names and Cas numbers for competitive or proprietary protection, as permitted by current law. This restricts public knowledge and complicates safety assessments.
Q: What actions are being recommended to reduce risks?
A: Advocacy groups urge full public disclosure, improved chemical screening, restrictions or bans on PFAS-containing fracking fluids, and enhanced monitoring of wastewater and disposal practices.
What Comes Next for PFAS Regulation?
At present, EPA has pledged to strengthen chemical risk reviews, especially for new market entrants. However, legacy chemicals previously approved under older, laxer standards—including those used in fracking—remain a regulatory challenge. The scientific consensus and environmental advocacy groups call for:
- Review and possible withdrawal of previously approved PFAS-related fracking chemicals
- Comprehensive groundwater and wastewater monitoring near affected sites
- Greater public and community involvement in regulatory deliberations
- Federal action to set limits or ban the use of PFAS compounds in oil and gas extraction
Conclusion: Transparency, Health, and Accountability
The secretive approval and widespread use of PFAS chemicals in U.S. fracking operations highlight ongoing dilemmas in environmental health, regulatory practice, and the right to public information. As scientists, regulators, and communities grapple with the legacy of “forever chemicals,” the need for transparency, swift reform, and evidence-based policy is more urgent than ever.
References
- https://www.axios.com/2021/07/12/epa-pfas-fracking-chemicals-toxic
- https://whyy.org/articles/epa-approved-fracking-chemicals-include-substances-known-as-forever-chemicals/
- https://www.eenews.net/articles/documents-show-epa-staff-concerns-over-pfas-in-fracking/
- https://yosemite.epa.gov/OA/EAB_WEB_Docket.nsf/Attachments%20By%20ParentFilingId/E91FC1DF6D8329B985258A5500551525/$FILE/Attachment%2010%20-%20Fracking%20with%20Forever%20Chemicals%20in%20Pennsylvania.pdf
- https://pfas-exchange.org/e-p-a-approved-toxic-chemicals-for-fracking-a-decade-ago-new-files-show/
- https://stateimpactcenter.org/files/AgactionEPA-Ltr-PFAS-Fracking-FINAL21224pm.pdf
- https://psr.org/epa-approved-exxons-forever-chemicals-for-fracking-in-2011/
- https://pfascentral.org/policy/epa-approved-toxic-chemicals-for-fracking-a-decade-ago-new-files-show
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