tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4664957094233317169.post900520724317908834..comments2023-12-26T05:33:56.740-05:00Comments on John Hanger's Facts of The Day: Updated: Water Testing Commences/Results Likely of Water SafeJohn Hangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06565915866938789295noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4664957094233317169.post-858420450002992662011-03-04T15:34:16.371-05:002011-03-04T15:34:16.371-05:00Actually, I had seen an article a couple of months...Actually, I had seen an article a couple of months ago about a company, (I believe it was Aquatech), that had come up with some kind of frac water treatment process that would produce salt to be used on roads. <br /><br />Yes, here is a link about it: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-first-pennsylvania-dep-approved-fracpure-mobile-treatment-system-launched-using-aquatechs-evaporation-technology-106945518.html<br /><br />My question here regards the radioactivity as well as the various toxic chemicals that are used in frac'ing. Is it truly possible to remove the radioactivity and ALL of the chemicals from frac water to end up with road salt that is nothing but NaCl?<br /><br />Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4664957094233317169.post-13307890443254232422011-03-04T09:54:08.524-05:002011-03-04T09:54:08.524-05:00We know radioactive material is harmful. We know i...We know radioactive material is harmful. We know it bio accumulates. We know it moves through the environment in many interconnected and unpredictable ways. <br /><br />Know we know that PA regulations either weren't strict enough or weren't enforced, and this stuff has been spread on roads, spilled on our soils, and has been diluted at plants and has entered our waterways. <br /><br />Are concentrations downstream high enough during the next few weeks to be detectable at the intake valve downstream? If they are, that means it's a problem for sure. If they aren't, it doesn't mean every stream in PA is safe. <br /><br />One reason we have protective environmental laws like SDWA and CERCLA is so that we don't have to do comprehensive retroactive testing to prove that exposure occurred--after the fact, after the substances have already dispersed, and costs of remediation are astronomical if the process is not actually impossible. <br /><br />These laws are supposed to prevent known bad practices and likely harmful exposures--before the long-term consequences happen. <br /><br />Yet the industry holds major exemptions from federal and state environmental laws. <br /><br />Reports about high levels of radioactivity in Marcellus wastes were old news in 2009, at the same time the industry was saying it wasn't a problem. They know exactly what the problems are, especially with shales. <br /><br />I believe the Society of Petroleum Engineers did a study within in the last decade about whether they could follow regulations for NORM. Their conclusion was that it would not be economic for some oil and gas operations. <br /><br />I'm guessing that is why you, even when you were head of a state environmental agency, where neither aware of nor actively talking about creating or enforcing NORM standards. <br /><br />If other industries can operate economically under these laws, fossil fuel extractors should too. And if we can't get methane without creating known public health risks, maybe the costs of fossil fuel production (solid, liquid, or gas) are just too high. <br /><br />Please don't lose sight of the big picture here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4664957094233317169.post-17097595626789279452011-03-03T11:58:03.011-05:002011-03-03T11:58:03.011-05:00The policy and rule in Pennsylvania is to ban and ...The policy and rule in Pennsylvania is to ban and prohibit the use of marcellus product in the manner stated above. Indeed the form that municipalities must complete in order to spread salt has a specific prohibition for this practice. The rule is strong. It must be enforced. I don't know the details of the specific event described in the NYT about road salt. I very much doubt that the NYT has described in fully. But the practice is not allowed and the forms the municipalites must complete say it is not allowed. The NYT of course did not report about that, did it?John Hangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06565915866938789295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4664957094233317169.post-47539404931042921042011-03-03T11:17:03.804-05:002011-03-03T11:17:03.804-05:00your responses seem to gloss over the sick facts t...your responses seem to gloss over the sick facts that toxic waste was sold to be used as road salt on the roads of Pennsylvania... the officials who made that decision left govt and now work in the gas industry.... the actions and inactions of Pennsylvania officials is pathetic and criminal in my opinion and should be held accountable for their disservice to their constituents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4664957094233317169.post-60020778820726563362011-03-03T09:42:44.966-05:002011-03-03T09:42:44.966-05:00An excellent, level headed response. Let the testi...An excellent, level headed response. Let the testing prove the issue one way or the other and then act accordingly. This is in the public interest and a well-reasoned response.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com