2015 ISOSWO APWA Spring Conference: Hydraulic Fracturing Waste

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Radioactive Wastethe glowing issues


Overview• Natural Occurring Radioactive Material

(NORM)• Sources and behavior of radiation• How is TENORM generated?• Oil/Gas exploration• Surrounding States and Iowa ties• Cause for concern?


Background:

NORM- Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material. (Potassium, Uranium and Thorium and their decay products.. Radium, Radon etc.).

TENORM – Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials.

Radon

Granite countertopsCat litt

er

Potatoes

Fly ashWater

treatment filter

waste

Scrap metal

Bottom ash

Coffee grounds


Risk… based on radiation type and its energy


Radiation Terminology

• Radiation is a type of energy that travels in waves or particles.

• Radioactivity is measured in units of pCi/g.

• When a person is exposed to radiation, the energy penetrates the body.

• Exposure is measured in dose units of mrem/yr.


Decay cycle


Putting it in perspective


Sources of Radiation Exposure


Oil/Gas exploration, what's the big deal?


What is Hydraulic Fracturing or “Fracking”?

•Fracking wells go thousands of feet deeper than traditional natural gas wells.

•Fracking requires between two and five million gallons of local freshwater per well - up to 100 times more than traditional extraction methods.

•Fracking utilizes "fracking fluid," a mix of water, sand, and a cocktail of toxic chemicals.


Fracking


NASA satellite image



Albany Shale





Economic BOOM! • $100K jobs for 22-year-olds with no experience, • 1% unemployment rate (compared to the national 7.5%) • people making more money than they know what to do with


Texas company proposes Bakken oil pipeline through Iowa



One environmental incident for every six wells.



Flowback water


Injection wells WWTP Landfarmed Treated De-icer


Byproduct of fracking boom: Radioactive Filter Socks.

three-foot long, tubular filters of absorbent fiber called oil socks and used to capture silt from waste water.


State of ND limits landfilling at 5 pCi.

McKenzie Co. LandfillMcKenzie Co. Landfill Filter sock fines have increased to $1000 per sock regardless of numbers. For example, if you bring in 50 socks you will receive a $50,000 fine.



Could these end up in Iowa?


Iowa Regulations 455B.315 - a person shall not dispose of, and a sanitary landfill shall not accept for final disposal, radioactive materials, as defined in 136C.1. The definition of radioactive material listed in 136C.1 includes naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM).



Iowa is Monitoring other states as they conduct health based risk studies on NORM and TENORM.

Health risks Environmental risks Worker safety Safe landfill limits


Summary• Exposure to radiation is part of our daily lives.

• Keep vigilant, but not over react

• DNR is keeping abreast as issues evolve


Susan Johnson, CHMMSenior Environmental SpecialistSpecial Waste ProgramIowa Department of Natural [email protected]

Date post:	19-Aug-2015
Category:	Environment
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