Radiation From Fracking? Yes But Not a Big Problem (PADEP)

PADEP Says Not A Problem

" While many environmental issues whirl around the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, at least we don’t have to worry about radiation.

In the most comprehensive study of the subject ever conducted, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection found that there is no concern of radiation exposure from fracking wells for oil or gas (PA DEP News Release).

Released last week, the Technologically-Enhanced Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Material, or TENORM, study, analyzed the levels of radioactivity associated with oil and gas development in Pennsylvania, particularly fracking. PA DEP Deputy Secretary Vince Brisini said the study concluded there is little potential for harm to workers or the public from radiation exposure from fracking for either oil or gas.

Only a few samples analyzed in the study were found with radiation levels above that of potato chips, which have the highest radioactivity of all foods.

Rocks, sediments and sands contain naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) such as uranium, thorium, potassium-40, carbon-14 and tritium (H-3) as well as their daughter products (see figure at end of post), particularly radon (Rn) and radium (Ra)."

Read More 

A real problem is Radon in Air and Water in homes. Radon Air and Water Testing and Radon Measurement Training Course

Suggestions by Blog Owner.
1. Not all areas and deposits are the same and some deposits may be have high radioactivity.
2. All waste streams should be monitored and evaluated.
3. Workers protected and screened and waste streams properly managed and disposed.
4. If a beneficial use is proposed, this should require an experimental and limited permit to evaluate the risks and develop best management practices.

Courses 

Get the Facts on Oil and Gas Development (Training Course- Shale Gas Development, Environmental Concerns, and Origins of Crude Oil)

Baseline Testing Less Common Parameters with and without Standards

Elements with or without EPA Drinking Water Standards

Antimony- The EPA primary drinking water limit of 0.006 mg/L.

http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/antimony.cfm

Cobalt - The PA Statewide Health Standard Guidance for Brownfields - recommends a Cobalt concentration of less than 0.011 mg/L for residential areas with a total dissolved solids of 2500 mg/L. (Source: “Pocket Guide to Statewide Health Standards, January 2011).

Additional Information on Cobalt - http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts33.pdf

Molybdenum - No specific drinking water standard, but the WHO recommends a level of less than 0.07 mg/L and in Wisconsin the standard is 0.040 mg/L.
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/molybdenum.pdf
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/hlthhaz/fs/MolybdenumDrinkingWater.pdf

Nickel - EPA Suggested a Maximum Contaminant Level of 0.1 mg/L
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/tech/nickel.pdf

Silver - < 0.05 mg/L Maine  and < 0.1 mg/L (World Health Organization)

Amounts of silver in drinking water over the drinking water standard of 0.05 milligrams per liter may cause a permanent blue-gray discoloration of eyes, skin and mucous membranes.

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/silver.pdf

Thallium – The EPA primary drinking water limit of 0.002 mg/L.

http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/thallium.cfm

Thorium - The EPA has set a drinking water limit of 15 picocuries per liter (15 pCi/L) of water for gross alpha particle activity and 4 millirems per year for beta particles and photon activity (for example, gamma radiation and x-rays).

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=659&tid=121
http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/th.htm

Vanadium - Action Level in California at 0.050 mg/L - inform public at 0.015 mg/L
http://oehha.ca.gov/water/pals/vanadium.html

A Well by Well - Review of the Data for Dimock, PA collected by EPA