On October 15, Guernsey County commissioners voted unanimously to deny permission for an explosives supply and blasting company to spread oil and gas waste on a private road for dust control.
Wampum Hardware Company had sought permission to spread oil and gas waste, known as brine, in front of its business at 60711 Dynamite Road in Guernsey County. Oil and gas brine is known to contain salts, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and radioactive materials that can be harmful to humans, animals, and aquatic life.
Dynamite Road is close to Leatherwood Creek, which flows into Wills Creek, the public water source for the city of Cambridge.
Salt Fork State Park area resident for 40 years and Save Ohio Parks volunteer Terri Sabo (right) presented information on oil and gas brine spreading at the commission’s public hearing. She is a retired nurse.
“I’m appreciative of the opportunity to speak to the commissioners and their willingness to learn about the harmful effects of brine use,” she said. “I hope they continue to consider the harmful effects that the fracking industry is having on Guernsey County.”
Oil and gas waste often contains carcinogens Radium 226 and Radium 228, considered by scientists to be bone-seeking isotopes that can cause cancer.
“This is a win not just for the residents of Guernsey County, but for all environmental advocates who are deeply concerned about the large amounts of contaminated and radioactive waste that oil and gas drilling in Ohio creates, and the potential impacts it is having on our health, our children’s health, our water, and the environment at large,” said Jenny Morgan, steering committee member for Save Ohio Parks.
Read about the longtime volunteer work to stop brine spreading here.
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