Despite a ban, Pennsylvania oil and gas companies continue spreading fracking wastewater on roads, raising health and environmental concerns.
Jake Bolster reports for Grist.
In short:
- Companies exploited a regulatory loophole, spreading 2.4 million gallons of wastewater on roads between 2019 and 2023.
- Wastewater contains toxic chemicals and radioactive materials, posing significant health risks.
- Activists and lawmakers push for stricter regulations to close loopholes and ban the practice.
Key quote:
“As far as I am aware, there have been zero notices of violations, compliance orders, fines and penalties for anything dealing with rogue dumping of wastewater. No one is enforcing the moratorium.”
— David Hess, a former DEP secretary
Why this matters:
Contamination from fracking wastewater can lead to the pollution of drinking water sources, posing severe health risks to nearby communities. Elevated levels of toxic substances in water can cause a range of health issues, from skin irritation to more serious conditions like cancer. Additionally, the release of these substances into the air can lead to respiratory problems and other health complications.
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