Congress has exempted oil and gas waste from the definition of hazardous waste, even though it routinely exceeds criteria for such classification. This eliminates tracking requirements for its handling, storage, treatment and disposal. Truck accidents, spills, and leaks from unmarked vehicles can expose drivers, police, EMTs and the public to hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials. Spreading of fracking wastewater for dust control and de-icing on roads increases the risk of exposure to drivers and pedestrians as well as contamination of nearby fields and surface waters. Road spreading can also contaminate groundwater, increasing the risk of inhalation and ingestion of both highly radioactive materials, and carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting chemicals by humans and livestock. Public and private wastewater treatment facilities are not capable of processing the hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials produced by drilling activities. Landfill disposal of radioactive sludge from oil and gas drilling operations could contaminate them for thousands of years. Storage in closed containment tanks could eventually result in permanent groundwater and surface water contamination. The presence of highly radioactive materials and other contaminants in local food products could cause irreparable damage and serious impacts to the economy.
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