Fracking’s Forever Problem: Focused on the gas industry’s radioactive waste.
In 2015, John Quigley, as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, was alarmed by reports of trucks carrying oil and gas waste triggering radioactivity alarms at landfills. This raised concerns about public health and safety risks for waste handlers.
Despite these concerns, fracking in Pennsylvania has expanded, producing large quantities of waste. An Inside Climate News analysis found that 72% of solid waste ends up in state landfills, with radioactivity alarms triggered daily on average. Radioactive elements like radium, uranium, and thorium are byproducts of drilling.
Recent research from the University of Pittsburgh indicates that wastewater from fracking the Marcellus formation is more radioactive than previously thought, with evidence of radioactive sediment near landfill outfalls. Despite these findings, state regulations remain largely unchanged.
In 2023, Pennsylvania landfills reported over 550 radioactivity alerts due to oil and gas waste, rejecting waste only 11 times. Radium-226 was frequently cited for alarms. The DEP’s 2022 guidance requires landfills to test for certain isotopes if they receive large volumes of radioactive waste.
The state has not implemented comprehensive testing of landfill leachate for radium, despite a 2021 promise. Inconsistent tracking of waste exacerbates regulatory challenges, as highlighted in an investigation.
The 2016 DEP study suggested low radiation risks but highlighted environmental concerns. Quigley criticized it as misleading, calling for further studies.
Industry groups like the Marcellus Shale Coalition assert that solid waste and wastewater management poses no health risks and adhere to safety standards. However, recent research indicates elevated radium levels at certain sites, necessitating further investigation.
Studies from Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh show radium entering the environment, unregulated by current policies. Road-spreading and leachate require more scrutiny to understand their environmental impact.
Efforts to enforce radium testing in leachate have stalled, despite previous commitments. Environmentalists and scientists are advocating for broader testing and transparency to assess the full impact of fracking waste.
The DEP’s regulations have been criticized for inadequately addressing potential radioactive waste exposure, emphasizing the need for updated studies and policies.
Radium’s persistence in the environment and potential accumulation in waterways raise long-term public health concerns. Experts call for standardized regulations and monitoring to protect workers and residents from exposure.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org