We, in the Barnett Shale, are not sitting alone in our toxic and radioactive drilling waste.
Tests show high concentration of radioactive waste in Marcellus
An analysis of wastewater samples by the Department of Health found levels of radium-226, and related alpha and beta radiation that are up to 10,000 times higher than drinking water standards, according to a memo the agency sent to the Department of Environmental
They like to call it NORM or Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, which makes it sound harmless. NORM is actually a bone-seeking carcinogen with a 1622 year half-life.
Three samples tested ranged from 14,530 to 123,000 picocuries of radiation per liter. The federal limit for radiation in public drinking water is 15.
That’s a lot of “natural.” All that natural NORM is already in Barnett Shale drinking water and other areas of Texas where drilling occurs. Aw well, blue is a good color for me.
Read more about NORM/Radioactive Drilling Waste
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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"Natural" radiation, whether from radium or radon, is dangerous.
this is a question-can you tell me where they did this test? was it in Dimock?
This was in Texas but the Marcellus Shale which is in Dimock also has radioactive waste.