Ohio continues to face critical challenges in managing fracking wastewater as the disposal of this byproduct poses increasing risks to both public health and the environment. The problem is magnified by the presence of radionuclides such as radium 226 and radium 228 in wastewater—naturally occurring but dangerously elevated through industrial activities. Recent studies and groundwater quality reports illuminate the scope of the issue, tying it to long-term radioactive contamination risks.
A Radioactive Threat in Fracking Waste
Fracking wastewater, or "produced water," contains harmful levels of radioactive materials. The EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) for combined radium 226 and radium 228 in drinking water is 5 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Yet studies from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and groundwater reports reveal that radium levels in fracking wastewater frequently exceed 2,000 pCi/L—more than 400 times the legal limit.
A 2015 Ohio EPA report on radionuclides in groundwater emphasizes that while Ohio's aquifers generally show low levels of radionuclides, localized contamination risks remain significant. These risks are amplified when fracking wastewater is disposed of in deep injection wells or spread on roads for de-icing and dust control. Such practices introduce radionuclides into surface environments, increasing their mobility and potential to contaminate groundwater.
Geology, Fracking, and Radium Migration
Ohio's geological formations are key to understanding the risks. The state's groundwater radionuclide distribution correlates with regions containing uranium- and thorium-rich formations, particularly in northeast Ohio. Natural weathering and industrial activities, like fracking, mobilize these radionuclides, leading to localized spikes in radiation levels.
Key findings from the Ohio EPA's technical series include:
- Radium Mobility: Radium isotopes, particularly radium 226, are mobile in reduced environments, which are common in underground injection wells used for wastewater disposal.
- Localized Risks: Elevated radium levels have been detected in aquifers near sandstone formations in northeast Ohio, where thorium-rich minerals are prevalent.
- Human Activities Amplify Risks: Improper management of fracking wastewater contributes to increased radionuclide presence in the environment, compounding natural geochemical processes.
Health and Environmental Implications
The presence of radionuclides in fracking wastewater poses significant long-term health risks. Radium 226, with a half-life of 1,600 years, remains hazardous for millennia. If introduced into drinking water supplies, it increases cancer risks and other health issues.
The Ohio EPA report underscores the importance of monitoring untreated water sources, especially near fracking sites. Current compliance data often reflects treated water, potentially masking the extent of contamination risks from raw water in affected areas.
Policy and Advocacy Responses
Ohio's regulatory framework, which grants state authorities oversight of injection wells, has made the state a hotspot for wastewater disposal. In 2022, over 1.4 billion gallons of fracking wastewater were injected into Ohio's wells, with substantial volumes imported from neighboring states. Critics argue that Ohio's lenient regulations prioritize industry profits over environmental safety.
Advocacy groups are calling for:
- Stricter monitoring and testing of raw water in fracking-impacted areas.
- A statewide ban on road spreading of radioactive brine.
- Legislative action to align state regulations with federal environmental standards, including closing the Halliburton loophole, which exempts fracking from key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
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