However, hyrdrofracking is producing far more wastewater now because it is increasingly used more. Industry officials argue that any dangerous waste from the wells is handled in compliance with state and federal laws, and that drilling companies are recycling more wastewater Furthermore, they say that hydrofracking is well regulated by the states and that it has been used safely for decades. And federal and state regulators do not require most sewage treatment plants that accept drilling waste to test for radioactivity. To date, the EPA has done nothing to stop fracking. These recent documents reveal that the wastewater, which can find its way into drinking water, contains radioactivity at levels higher than previously known, and far higher than the level that federal regulators say is safe for these treatment plants to handle.Īnother document reveals that an EPA consultant concluded that some sewage treatment plants were incapable of removing certain drilling waste contaminants and were probably violating the law. The NYT obtained thousands of internal documents from the EPA, showing more dangers to the environment and health-beside the previously reported existence of toxic wastes. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering enacting regulations on the fracking process.
#E.p.a. chemicals fracking ago new files series#
On the heels of a series of The New York Times investigative articles (February 2011), the U.S. Natural gas production and drilling hazards are much less understood than those dangers associated with other fossil fuels, and hydraulic fracturing regulations have not kept pace with the natural-gas industry' expansion. The EWG is an advocacy organization.While hydraulic fracturing has been heralded as a boon to the US natural gas industry, it has drawn flack from environmentalists and people living near drilling operations who allege that their well water has subsequently become contaminated and made people sick, and it has also been linked to cancer. According to the Post article, the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, found PFAS is likely discharged into water at 501 sites in Colorado, including in Broomfield. The chemicals can be found in drinking water, near waste sites, fire extinguishing foam, foods, food packaging, household products and dust, personal care products and biosolids.Ĭity and county documents cited reporting by the Denver Post and New York Times.
Prior to the passed ordinance PFAs were banned from being used by oil and gas operators in emergency response activities, but were not included in the list of banned fracking chemicals. Peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAs may lead to reproductive effects in women, developmental effects in children, increased risk of some cancers, reduced the immune system’s ability to fight infections, interferes with the body’s hormones and increased cholesterol levels, according to the EPA.
While research remains ongoing, current research suggests exposure to high levels of certain PFAs may lead to adverse health outcomes. They break down very slowly and lead to build-ups in people, animals and the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. PFAs are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s.
#E.p.a. chemicals fracking ago new files update#
The update to the city and county’s oil and gas regulations unanimously passed Tuesday evening at the City Council meeting. The harmful chemicals perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, or PFAs, are now banned from being used by oil and gas operations in Broomfield.
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