National Nurses United spoke out against fracking at an Annapolis press conference of public health advocates outside the Maryland General Assembly and testified before a joint House/Senate committee. “As a Registered Nurse, I don’t want myself or my patients to breathe the same chemicals that are used to embalm bodies or make pesticides,” said NNU member Beth Landry. “Just a few days ago, the EPA published what we’ve known for a long time – that fracking contaminates drinking water. Nurses recognize that hydraulic fracturing is an extreme and unsafe method of extracting fossil fuels that negatively impacts our environment and is a danger to public health. Maryland nurses declare fracking a clear and present danger to public health. The General Assembly should follow the lead of several counties and municipalities and ban fracking statewide to protect our patients, our environment, and our communities.” photo by Korey Hartwich