Democratic report: carcinogens injected into wells

[one...two...tree 2,762]

WASHINGTON – Millions of gallons of potentially hazardous chemicals and known carcinogens were injected into wells by leading oil and gas service companies from 2005-2009, a report by three House Democrats said Saturday.

The report said 29 of the chemicals injected were known-or-suspected human carcinogens. They either were regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act as risks to human health or listed as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

Methanol was the most widely used chemical. The substance is a hazardous air pollutant and is on the candidate list for potential regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The report was issued by Reps. Henry Waxman of California, Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Diana DeGette of Colorado.

The chemicals are injected during hydraulic fracturing, a process used in combination with horizontal drilling to allow access to natural gas reserves previously considered uneconomical.

The growing use of hydraulic fracturing has allowed natural gas production in the United States to reach levels not achieved since the early 1970s.

However, the process requires large quantities of water and fluids, injected underground at high volumes and pressure. The composition of these fluids ranges from a simple mixture of water and sand to more complex mixtures with chemical additives.

The report said that from 2005-2009, the following states had at least 100,000 gallons of hydraulic fracturing fluids containing a carcinogen: Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Wyoming, North Dakota, New Mexico, Montana and Utah.

States with 100,000 gallons or more of fluids containing a regulated chemical under the Safe Drinking Water Act were: Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Mississippi and North Dakota.

The report said many chemical components were listed as "proprietary" or "trade secret."

"Hydraulic fracturing has opened access to vast domestic reserves of natural gas that could provide an important stepping stone to a clean energy future," the report said.

"Yet, questions about the safety of hydraulic fracturing persist, which are compounded by the secrecy surrounding the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids. This analysis is the most comprehensive national assessment to date of the types and volumes of chemical used in the hydraulic fracturing process."

The investigation of chemicals used in fracturing was started in the last Congress by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which then was controlled by Democrats. The committee asked the 14 leading oil and gas service companies to disclose the types and volumes of the hydraulic fracturing products they used between 2005 and 2009 and the chemical contents of those products

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Online: House Energy and Commerce Democratic site

http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_drilling_chemicals

[Obama 2012 1,714]

in other words, DemocRATS want to destroy another industry and another aspect of the economy and further their agenda by the only way they can get people to accept it. Control.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The report was issued by Reps. Henry Waxman of California, Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Diana DeGette of Colorado

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

carcinogens in oil wells? oh no.

[Ban Hammer 13,489]

i can see a cause for concern about this. fracking still has many unknowns and is suspected of causing problems in the local area.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

carcinogens in oil wells? oh no.

Yes its horrible as they can contaminate ground water.

http://articles.philly.com/2010-11-10/business/24952907_1_water-wells-cabot-oil-gas-pennvest-board

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09263/999458-113.stm

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

in other words, DemocRATS want to destroy another industry and another aspect of the economy and further their agenda by the only way they can get people to accept it. Control.

Oh noz....the big bad government doesn't want us to drink polluted water that the little fluffy mining industry wants to feed us!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Oh noz....the big bad government doesn't want us to drink polluted water that the little fluffy mining industry wants to feed us!

Henry Waxman should be all you need to see to know that anything/everything coming from this is over exaggerated and/or bogus.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Henry Waxman should be all you need to see to know that anything/everything coming from this is over exaggerated and/or bogus.

Who or what supports this in congress is irrelevant to the actual damage that has been documented.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Who or what supports this in congress is irrelevant to the actual damage that has been documented.

you mean that damage that has been documented by Henry Waxman? Dude, get a clue.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So the tap water catches on fire - what's the big fracking deal? Pretty soon, you don't have to roll up to the gas station to fill up. Just put yer garden hose into the tank. Energy independence achieved. Truly awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev-GY_uS2fI

[Ban Hammer 13,489]

Yes its horrible as they can contaminate ground water.

http://articles.philly.com/2010-11-10/business/24952907_1_water-wells-cabot-oil-gas-pennvest-board

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09263/999458-113.stm

and let's not forget this historic place: Woburn, Massachusetts

Groundwater contamination incident

In contemporary history, Woburn was the scene of a high-profile water contamination crisis. During the mid to late 1970s, the local community became concerned over the high incidence of childhood leukemia and other illnesses, particularly in the Pine Street area of east Woburn. After high levels of chemical contamination were found in City of Woburn’s Wells G and H in 1979, some members of the community suspected that the unusually high incidence of leukemia, cancer, and a wide variety of other health problems were linked to the possible exposure to volatile organic chemicals in the groundwater pumped from wells G and H.

In May 1982, a number of citizens whose children had developed or died from leukemia filed a civil lawsuit against two corporations, W. R. Grace and Company and Beatrice Foods. Grace's subsidiary, Cryovac, and Beatrice were suspected of contaminating the groundwater by improperly disposing of trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (perc) and other industrial solvents at their facilities in Woburn near wells G and H.

In a controversial decision over what many considered a bungled trial (Judge Walter Jay Skinner ruled that the jurors should answer questions that they and many others considered confusing), Beatrice was acquitted and Grace only paid $8 million, a third of which went to the lawyers and lawyer fees. A United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ report later found Beatrice and Grace responsible for the contamination.[4][5][6] A book titled A Civil Action was written about the case by Jonathan Harr. In 1998 the book was turned into a movie starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall, also titled A Civil Action.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woburn,_Massachusetts

the above is why this story in the op concerns me.

[Ban Hammer 13,489]

a wiki article on fracking, for those who desire to learn more about this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

and let's not forget this historic place: Woburn, Massachusetts

Groundwater contamination incident

In contemporary history, Woburn was the scene of a high-profile water contamination crisis. During the mid to late 1970s, the local community became concerned over the high incidence of childhood leukemia and other illnesses, particularly in the Pine Street area of east Woburn. After high levels of chemical contamination were found in City of Woburn’s Wells G and H in 1979, some members of the community suspected that the unusually high incidence of leukemia, cancer, and a wide variety of other health problems were linked to the possible exposure to volatile organic chemicals in the groundwater pumped from wells G and H.

In May 1982, a number of citizens whose children had developed or died from leukemia filed a civil lawsuit against two corporations, W. R. Grace and Company and Beatrice Foods. Grace's subsidiary, Cryovac, and Beatrice were suspected of contaminating the groundwater by improperly disposing of trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (perc) and other industrial solvents at their facilities in Woburn near wells G and H.

In a controversial decision over what many considered a bungled trial (Judge Walter Jay Skinner ruled that the jurors should answer questions that they and many others considered confusing), Beatrice was acquitted and Grace only paid $8 million, a third of which went to the lawyers and lawyer fees. A United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ report later found Beatrice and Grace responsible for the contamination.[4][5][6] A book titled A Civil Action was written about the case by Jonathan Harr. In 1998 the book was turned into a movie starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall, also titled A Civil Action.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woburn,_Massachusetts

the above is why this story in the op concerns me.

Am I hearing that Chuck is not a firm believer in self-regulating markets?

[Ban Hammer 13,489]

Am I hearing that Chuck is not a firm believer in self-regulating markets?

not when it comes to hazardous waste disposal.