Inside Fracking's Hidden Risk: A Truck Driver's Story
Tom McKnight spent years working in the oil and gas industry—hauling condensate, crude, and waste, and cleaning up well sites during some of the most intense phases of production.
He liked the work. He made good money. He took pride in being part of it.
But when radiation risks came up in training, he says he was told it was "no more than a cell phone." Years later, after repeated exposure to brine, sludge, and dust—often without proper protective equipment—Tom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
In this episode, Tom walks through:
What daily work on active well pads actually looks like How exposure happens in routine tasks most people never see The culture inside the industry during its rapid expansion What workers were—and weren't—told about risk What should change to better protect the people doing the job
This is not a simple "for or against" conversation. It's a firsthand account from someone who lived it.
About Exposure: Exposure is an investigative and editorial podcast produced in partnership with Ohio Valley Allies. We document the human, environmental, and economic impacts of extractive industries through interviews, research, and storytelling.
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Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.
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