Radioactivity in Marcellus Shale Gas Wells report released December 16.

[MrMickeysMom]

I'm sure this report needs to go to EVERY member of the General Assembly in PA. Tracy Carlucci, who is the Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network has passed this report along these awful findings. If you haven't directed the link to your legislator, PLEASE do.

Dangerous radioactive liquids, gases, and solids are entering the environment and potentially contaminating water supplies through practices used in gas well development, storage of produced fluids, and the transport and disposal of drilling wastes. The radioactive materials are then available to be taken in by people and can increase the likelihood of cancers in those exposed.
The critique examines the failings of the TENORM Report that include:
* Inaccurate radon measurements at drilling sites
* Invalid and/or incomplete sampling for radium-226 in rock cuttings
* Invalid and/or incomplete sampling for radium-226 in wastewater
* Invalid methodology for sampling of buried drill cuttings, including closed pits at
individual well sites, sometimes located in the back yards of homes or on active
farmland
* Lack of clarity as to whether the concentrated non-recycled drilling fluids and
sludges were sampled
* No testing of stream water quality, sediments and in-stream habitats
* Lack of planning to sample fluid production pipes, feeder lines, separator and
condensate tanks where radioactive scale can build up over time

More here:
http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/resources/PressReleases/PR%20DRN%20TENORM%20review%2012.15.15.pdf

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Thanks for posting this.

Scary stuff, but sadly, not surprising.

[MrMickeysMom]

2. You're welcomed, Curmudgeoness...

I'm simply amazed that where I live, many people go on with their lives not understanding what will happen when our municipal authority (water) switches its contracted connection source of water from the Allegheny River to Beaver Run. What's in Beaver Run's neighborhood?

You bet.... the "industry".

[2naSalit]

3. Some food for thought...

I heard this program on the radio yesterday. It tells the story of how a small town in PA fought a mining corporation and what is involved and why it is such a catastophuck for we the little people... The government and the law is mostly about protecting corporations.

http://media.bioneers.org/listing/corporations-versus-democracy-thomas-linzey/

It's truly unnerving and a whole lot more. A worthwhile activism org...

http://www.bioneers.org/