Radium again found in Allegheny River and tributaries

[TexasTowelie]

Sediment from the Allegheny River and two Indiana County creeks contain high levels of radioactivity downstream from where treated wastewater from conventional gas well drilling operations is discharged, according to a new study.

The peer-reviewed research at Duke University found that, over the past six years, levels of radium in river and stream sediment are about 650 times higher below water treatment plants than at sampling sites upstream.

In some cases the sediment exceeded levels that would require disposal at federally designated radioactive waste disposal sites.

And analysis of the radioactive material shows the contamination occurred after 2011, when shale gas drilling companies voluntarily agreed to stop sending drilling wastewater and spent fracking fluids to most water treatment facilities.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2018/01/19/Radium-found-in-rivers-and-creeks-again-gas-drilling-wastewater/stories/201801190221

[still_one]

1. It would not be surprising if lung cancer rates increased in those areas where the radium

contamination occurred.

As long a Pruitt is in charge of the EPA situations like this will not be rectified properly

[FBaggins]

2. Actually... it would

I think you’ve confused radium with radon.

Radium might be used in treating lung cancer (especially for bone pain), but isn’t associated with causing it (likely because it’s a solid at room temperature).

[still_one]

3. you are absolutely right in regard to lung cancer. However, Radium is a double edged sword. It can

also cause mutations to cellular DNA and precipitate malignancy

Madam Curie's exposure to Radium during her research into radiation is the most obvious example, but also the cancers caused by radium from people working with it demonstrate its dangers