(IND) – An unidentified chemical used in fracking in the United States has triggered concern after it emerged it can cause kidney and liver damage.

A subsidiary of Nabors Industries Ltd pumped a mixture of chemicals identified only as “EXP-F0173-11″ into half a dozen oil wells in rural Karnes County, Texas, in July.

One ingredient, a solvent, in the blend of chemicals can cause kidney and liver damage, according to information about the product that Michigan state regulators have on file.

A year-old Texas law that requires drillers to disclose chemicals they pump underground during fracking, was powerless to compel transparency for EXP-F0173-11. The solvent and several other ingredients in the product are considered a trade secret by Superior Well Services, a Nabors subsidiary, meaning they are exempt from disclosure. Read More Here