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"Legacy of Radioactivity," Contamination from Thousands of Fracking Wastewater Spills
Duke Study Finds A "Legacy of Radioactivity," Contamination from Thousands of Fracking Wastewater Spills
Thousands of oil and gas industry wastewater spills in North Dakota have caused widespread contamination from radioactive materials, heavy metals and corrosive salts, putting the health of people and wildlife at risk, researchers from Duke University concluded in a newly released peer-reviewed study.
Some rivers and streams in North Dakota now carry levels of radioactive and toxic materials higher than federal drinking water standards as a result of wastewater spills, the scientists found after testing near spills. Many cities and towns draw their drinking water from rivers and streams, though federal law generally requires drinking water to be treated before it reaches peoples' homes, and the scientists did not test tap water as part of their research.
High levels of lead the same heavy metal that infamously contaminated water in Flint, Michigan as well as the radioactive element radium, were discovered near spill sites. One substance, selenium, was found in the state's waters at levels as high as 35 times the federal thresholds set to protect fish, mussels, and other wildlife, including those that people eat.
The pollution was found on land as well as in water. The soils in locations where wastewater spilled were laced with significant levels of radium, and even higher levels of radium were discovered in the ground downstream from the spills' origin points, showing that radioactive materials were soaking into the ground and building up as spills flowed over the ground, the researchers said.
The sheer number of spills in the past several years is striking. All told, the Duke University researchers mapped out a total of over 3,900 accidental spills of oil and gas wastewater in North Dakota alone.
cont'd
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/09/duke-study-finds-legacy-radioactivity-contamination-thousands-fracking-wastewater
Thousands of oil and gas industry wastewater spills in North Dakota have caused widespread contamination from radioactive materials, heavy metals and corrosive salts, putting the health of people and wildlife at risk, researchers from Duke University concluded in a newly released peer-reviewed study.
Some rivers and streams in North Dakota now carry levels of radioactive and toxic materials higher than federal drinking water standards as a result of wastewater spills, the scientists found after testing near spills. Many cities and towns draw their drinking water from rivers and streams, though federal law generally requires drinking water to be treated before it reaches peoples' homes, and the scientists did not test tap water as part of their research.
High levels of lead the same heavy metal that infamously contaminated water in Flint, Michigan as well as the radioactive element radium, were discovered near spill sites. One substance, selenium, was found in the state's waters at levels as high as 35 times the federal thresholds set to protect fish, mussels, and other wildlife, including those that people eat.
The pollution was found on land as well as in water. The soils in locations where wastewater spilled were laced with significant levels of radium, and even higher levels of radium were discovered in the ground downstream from the spills' origin points, showing that radioactive materials were soaking into the ground and building up as spills flowed over the ground, the researchers said.
The sheer number of spills in the past several years is striking. All told, the Duke University researchers mapped out a total of over 3,900 accidental spills of oil and gas wastewater in North Dakota alone.
cont'd
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/09/duke-study-finds-legacy-radioactivity-contamination-thousands-fracking-wastewater
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"Legacy of Radioactivity," Contamination from Thousands of Fracking Wastewater Spills (Original Post)
Lodestar
May 2016
OP
pansypoo53219
(21,009 posts)1. can you drink oil?
Baobab
(4,667 posts)2. Go right ahead, its good for you. (joke!)
Last edited Thu May 12, 2016, 07:48 AM - Edit history (1)
As American as Apple pie.
(and cancer)