Frickin Frackin Wrinkles and a Pockmarked Face

Life on the shale takes a toll on the body and mind.  Residents have many sleepless nights due to loud industrial noise and bright lights shining into homes.  The process of extracting gas is dirty business.  Shale gas development creates serious environmental consequences which is why the oil and gas industry needed to obtain Federal exemptions from the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, National Environment Policy Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.  Click Here to see Exemptions for  Hydraulic Fracturing Under United States Federal Law.

Because the oil and gas industry enjoys such widespread exemptions, citizens near these mining sites no longer get to enjoy clean air.  Not only is air pollution detrimental to our health, but it makes our skin age prematurely. 

While intrinsic skin aging is largely affected by genetics and the passage of time, extrinsic skin aging occurs from exposure to the sun, smoking, and environmental pollution.  This is why living near multiple gas drill sites is not good for ladies (and men) who are concerned about maintaining a youthful appearance.  Since I just passed the turn of the century mark, I am becoming more self conscious about the health and appearance of my skin and have concerns that the North Texas smog will expedite the aging process. 

Our skin is the human body's largest organ.  It weighs about eight pounds and the average adult has 22 feet of it.  In much the same way as a dam's purpose is to retain large a body of water, the skin serves as a protective barrier to maintain fluid balance in our bodies.  Air pollution strips moisture away from the skin creating fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity.  It also increases the risk for eczema,  rashes, acne and cancer.

So ladies ~ and gentlemen ~ if you live on the shale, be sure to apply a good moisturizer or skin barrier such as aloe vera with antioxidants.  It may take a long time to get the Federal Government to reverse the Halliburton Loophole.  If that ever happens, it will be nearly impossible for the industry to extract any more fossil fuels from Mother Earth.

Change happens through the power of grassroots involvement.  While a fracking ban is ideal, some cities have already opened the shale gas door.  In that case enacting a moratorium while strengthening local ordinances can keep the frackers at bay.  Just as skin serves as a protective barrier for the body, a local gas drilling ordinance should protect its citizens.   Ordinances written by industry contain so many loopholes they look like a pockmarked face and allows shale gas developers to damage our land leaving permanent scars. 

Photo by Amy Youngs

Think about it!