Pennsylvania Roads Are Being Coated in Radioactive Wastewater − Here’s Why

The surprising reason Pennsylvania roads are being coated in radioactive wastewater

People are not drinking the oil and gas brine directly, but the problem is that we don’t know where the radium ends up after the brine has been applied to the road

Pennsylvania roads are being coated in radioactive wastewater − here’s why

Brine, a mixture of salt and water, is sprayed onto roads to prevent snow and ice from sticking or freezing to the pavement. Portland Press Herald Collection via Getty ImagesPennsylvania’s roughly 100,000 oil and gas wells produce wastewater that’s many times saltier than seawater and contains radium, a known carcinogen. For decades, that saltwater, called brine, was spread on dirt and gravel roads across the state to control dust and also on pa…

Pennsylvania Roads Are Being Coated in Radioactive Wastewater − Here’s Why

Article by William Burgos, Penn State and Nathaniel Warner, Penn State Pennsylvania’s roughly 100,000 oil and gas wells produce wastewater that’s many times saltier than seawater and contains radium, a known carcinogen. For decades, that saltwater, called brine, was spread on dirt and gravel roads across the state to control dust and also on paved roads to melt ice. The state Department of Environmental Protection halted the practice in 2018, bu…

Pennsylvania roads are being lined in radioactive wastewater − right here’s why

Pennsylvania’s more or less 100,000 oil and fuel wells produce wastewater that’s repeatedly saltier than seawater and incorporates radium, a identified carcinogen. For many years, that saltwater, known as brine, was once unfold on grime and gravel roads around the state to keep an eye on mud and in addition on paved roads to soften ice. The state Division of Environmental Coverage halted the apply in 2018, however citizens proceed to document oi…