chemical & radioactive exposure

As more fully explained in another article on this website, Hydraulic Fracturing – “fracking” – is a drilling method used to crack the rock formations deep in the earth, releasing the trapped oil and gas. Under high pressure, liquid is injected down the well bore to fracture the rock. The composition of the liquid is primarily water but mixed with a variety of chemicals. Environmental experts have identified only some of those chemicals, along with certain radioactive materials either naturally occurring or technologically enhanced. 

Some of the chemicals include the following:

Ethylene Glycol - found in antifreeze and hydraulic brake fluid; 

Acrylamide – (possible human carcinogen) also found in packaging & cigarette smoke; 

Naphthalene - pesticide made from tar or crude oil (possible human carcinogen); 

Formaldehyde – known human carcinogen, common in wood products, coatings and glues;

Perfluoroctane Sulfanate Acid – studies suggest cause cancer and other systemic effects.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified over one thousand different chemicals reported as part of fracking formulas. Many are toxic and known carcinogens including:

Benzene

Methanol

Lead

Arsenic

Uranium

Cadmium

Chromium

Mercury

Propargyl Alcohol 

Radium

Hydrochloric Acid

The EPA also describes certain chemicals identified in frack liquids as “PFOS” and “PFOA”. They are part of a larger group of compounds known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Agency explains that these are a group of manufactured chemicals named Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluoro octane Sulfonate (PFOS). PFOA and PFOS can migrate or otherwise spread into water, air, and soil. These man-made chemicals are considered persistent and remain in people’s bodies for an extensive amount of time. In some circles these are often referred to as “forever chemicals”. 

These “forever chemicals” are nicknamed such because they are resistant to both lipids and water, meaning they do not break down in the environment. They accumulate in the air, water, soil and in human and animal tissues. Even small amounts of chemical pollutants have possible links to developmental problems, hearing loss, neurologic disorders, diabetes, blood disorders and other serious illnesses. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), many heavy metals are known or probable human carcinogens. 

More exposure incidents and environmental litigation relates to “NORM”, meaning naturally occurring radioactive materials, or “TENORM”, technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials. Litigation often involves the oil and gas industry. Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are commonly drawn out of the oil or gas well to the surface along with hydrocarbons that tend to crystallize inside of oil and gas piping. 

Workers cleaning or recycling older oil/gas pipelines can be exposed to NORM or TENORM without even knowing it. Lands where the contaminated pipe is stored, cleaned or recycled can also become infected with the materials, with the potential to further contaminate both lands and nearby water sources. 

Millions of gallons of fracking fluid are injected into a single deep well bore. Even with concrete bore linings and other protections, some quantity of the chemical mix can escape, causing soil contamination, migration into water reserves and exposure to humans during the production and cleaning processes in the industry.   

In addition, much of the contaminated water can be accidentally or negligently spilled near well pads, or leak from related equipment and retention ponds. When large quantities of the frack fluids pumped into the well are pumped back out, both lands and humans can be exposed to chemical and radioactive materials. 

The cost of properly treating chemical waste generated by fracking can, in many cases, form the incentive to pollute. Companies are faced with the decision to pay for treatment and disposal of the waste properly and safely or dispose of it in some less costly – and less safe -  manner.  

For at least twenty years experts have been examining human exposure to the pollutants found in frack liquid, and many studies have linked that exposure to a broad range of health hazards. These include heart failure, cancer, congenital heart defects, asthma, other respiratory problems, premature births and more, among people of all age groups. Fracking poses the further risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and radioactive materials. Accidental spills at well construction sites, subsurface migration and improper disposal make it impossible to mitigate the effect of fracking on public health. 

Environmental contamination cases, and human exposure to chemicals and/or NORM or TENORM, can give rise to several types of legal actions. Personal injury, wrongful death and survival actions can be brought in an effort to compensate persons harmed. Generally, these type of cases are based on people being exposed to the radioactive materials and/or being subjected to the particles and dust created during the production processes. 

The negligence possibly attributable to these claims are many, including the failure to correctly identify, handle, clean, contain or dispose of chemically tainted waste, radioactive NORM or TENORM, along with the failure to warn, protect and prevent people from being exposed to these hazardous substances.

If you suspect that you have been exposed to contaminated water, air or soil that has caused illness or injury, contact our law firm immediately. We diligently investigate toxic exposure incidents with our associated teams of lawyers and experts, fighting for the rights of innocent persons who have been forever harmed by exposure to toxic pollution. We welcome you to read the several other articles on this topic available free on this website. Better yet, call us for a free consultation at 1-800-755-0245 or send an instant message through our website: http://www.puzaklaw.com. We look forward to helping you! 

IMPORTANT: Every case is unique in its facts and circumstances. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended as legal advice for any particular case. We recommend consultation with a lawyer of your choice who can perform a thorough analysis of your situation and the particular rights and remedies that may apply.

©David J. Puzak, Puzak Law Offices, LLC