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Is it safe to use gas drilling wastewater on Pennsylvania roads for dust and snow control?
This month, Pennsylvania's gas industry council discussed using toxic wastewater from gas drilling on roads for dust and snow control, despite health and environmental risks.
In Short:
- The Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory Council reviewed recent studies highlighting the ineffectiveness and potential dangers of such roadway treatments.
- In 2016, Pennsylvania prohibited spraying roads with "produced water" (wastewater) containing hazardous chemicals from unconventional fracking gas wells. Since 2018 there's been a moratorium on spraying from conventional wells.
- Despite the bans, local reports and watchdog groups say wastewater continues to be spread on Pennsylvania roads.
Key Quote:
"The reality is, even though dumping on roads is illegal, it is happening all the time, every day."
– David Hess, former Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection secretary
The Big Picture:
Using toxic wastewater on roads releases dangerous chemicals that can seep into water and soil, endangering health.
Researchers have documented drinking water contamination from fracking in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Dakota and Wyoming. In 2016, the US Environmental Protection Agency concluded the industry posed a threat to the U.S. water supply. Read EHN's award-winning series Fractured to learn more.
Read the entire Inside ClimateNews story here.
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