FloMo Waits for Results From New State Cancer Cluster Study

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is conducting another cancer cluster study after the recent UT Study by Rachael Rawlins was release a couple of weeks ago. Rawlins', a UT lecturer and professor, study was published in the Virginia Environmental Law Journal. The study questioned federal and state guidelines related to natural gas drilling and its possible health effects.                    

Rawlins' study also questioned results of a 2010 cancer cluster investigation conducted by the DSHS back in 2010. Parents of children diagnosed with leukemia were concerned that their child was not included in the original study which would make the numbers greater than what the state had used for their research. Also, as noted in many previous posts, the DSHS stated the elevated breast cancer result could be due to overall population increases in Flower Mound and the likelihood that women in this area are more frequently screened for breast cancer.

The original study results left many of us questioning who the DSHS is really there to protect.

Click here to read the recent article in the Flower Mound Leader.

Important: Sunset Town Hall

Sorry for the late notice. This is a very important Town Hall Meeting.

SUNSET TOWN HALL
A public dialogue regarding the Sunset of two critical agencies that affect environmental regulation: the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Railroad Commission.
DATE: Monday, November 8
TIME: Registration: 6:30 pm Town Hall: 7:00 pm
PLACE: Sheraton Arlington at 1500 Convention Center Rd. (next to the> Ballpark)

CONFIRMED PANELISTS:
Senator John Carona
Representative Lon Burnam
Representative Carol Kent
Representative Allen Vaught
Former TCEQ Commissioner Larry Soward

WHAT: Two important agencies, the TCEQ that oversees land, air, and water quality issues and the Texas Railroad Commission which oversees oil and gas drilling are the focus of this public policy event.

Citizens can learn more about these agencies and how to participate in the Sunset review process. Voicing comments, questions, and concerns to local state officials regarding possible agency reforms in the upcoming legislature. Sunset review only happens once a decade...this is a rare opportunity to have a meaningful dialogue with your officials before they vote on these agencies' futures.

SPONSORS: ACT, a coalition of statewide and local DFW environmental groups, Dallas Sierra Club, Ft. Worth Sierra Club, Public Citizen, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Interfaith Environmental Alliance, Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Dallas League of Women Voters, League of Women Voters - Richardson, and the Arlington League of Women Voters.
CONTACTS: Call Rita Beving, at 214.557.2271, email rita.beving@gmail.com or email Peter Wilson at peter.wilson@sierraclub.org for more info.

Radioactive waste from oil and gas drilling more likely to occur in the Barnett Shale

Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe from the Denton RC uncovered this danger of NORM in the Barnett Shale in an article written over two years ago! Read her article Gas Drilling's Dirty Side Effect

One factor is that organic-rich shale such as the Barnett Shale has higher levels of uranium. Another factor is the high level of salt in the wastewater produced along with the gas. As a gas well is producing, the variable pressure also helps free NORM from the shale, bond with other elements, such as barite and calcium carbonate, and travel to the surface along with the gas.

In this info sheet from the EPA, it addresses NORM naturally-occurring radioactive material and TENORM technologically-enhanced naturally-occurring radioactive material.

According to the EPA, not all wells or sites may have radioactive waste but the upper Midwest and the Gulf Coast (that would include the Barnett Shale) are more likely to have this problem.

The radiation comes from naturally-occurring radioactive material (NORM) in the underground rock and sediment. When companies drill for gas or oil, the produced fluids, including water, may contain radionuclides, primarily radium-226, radium-228, and radon. The radon gas may be released to the atmosphere, while the produced water and mud containing radium are placed in ponds or pits for evaporation, re-use, or recovery.


The radium brought up during drilling can also decay to radon gas, which a worker can inhale and can raise the risk of lung cancer. Radium-226 emits gamma radiation and the lead emits low-level energy gamma radiation and beta particles. Gamma radiation can also penetrate the skin and raise the risk of cancer. Following worker safety guidance will reduce total on-site radiation exposure.

We have talked about Radioactive Water before
Another North Texas Town Has Radioactive Water
Hudson Oaks Water is "Hot"
Produced Waste Water, Pipelines and Tank Batteries
Gas Drilling Produced Waste Water is Radioactive!