What Chemicals are Used in Fracking?

It’s often the most hotly debated question in the quest for natural gas. Much of the argument against natural gas drilling – known as fracking – is that the chemicals used during the process could have detrimental effects on the surrounding environment. The chemicals that gas companies use  -  which can include  water, sand, salt, citric acid, benzene or lead, according to a federal report – can be hazardous if not properly isolated and stored. However, state and federal lawmakers are working to establish a system of rules to regulate the drilling, and most gas and oil companies have said maintaining the environment and preventing leaks are paramount concerns for them as well.