In his new book, “Petroleum-238: Big Oil’s Dangerous Secret and the Grassroots Fight to Stop It,” science journalist Justin Nobel reveals the alarming truth about the radioactive waste from the oil and gas industry. Nobel’s seven years of research and reporting shed light on the dangers of radioactivity in the industry and the potential risks to public health.
Nobel’s investigation uncovers shocking facts about the levels of radioactivity in the Marcellus shale formation, where gas is fracked in Pennsylvania. The Marcellus formation is the most radioactive in the United States, with radium levels exceeding safe drinking water limits.
The book also highlights the impact on workers in the oil and gas industry who are exposed to this radioactive waste. Workers are at risk of exposure to radioactive sludge and dust, leading to health issues such as cancer, joint pain, and strange rashes.
Despite the high levels of radioactivity in the waste, the oil and gas industry has managed to avoid classifying it as hazardous waste, allowing them to cut costs and avoid stricter regulations. Nobel’s book delves into the history of how the industry lobbied to have their waste labeled as non-hazardous, putting both workers and the public at risk.
Through interviews with workers and industry insiders, Nobel’s book paints a disturbing picture of a dangerous secret hidden within the oil and gas industry. It is a wake-up call to the public and regulators to take action to protect the health and safety of those impacted by this radioactive waste.
