Again, once anyone begins looking at the underlying facts and data, a different picture emerges with landfills. And the results seemingly never benefit the health of the public.

The most recent study involves how fracking waste is accounted for (or not) and the impacts of treating that waste downstream (higher radioactive radium readings).

It continues to feel as though just about all of the concerns raised over 9 years ago come to fruition the instant a qualified professional outside of DEP looks at it: Water contamination? Check. Air Pollutants? Check. Radioactive materials not being properly monitored? Check. Leachate runoff problems? Check.

Some specifics from the study:

--> Over 800,00 tons of fracking waste sent to landfills was unaccounted for.

As to DEP? The study states, “While reporting is required, PADEP does not confirm the accuracy of the reported information.”

--> Samples downstream from outfalls of wastewater treatment plants that treat leachate from over 30 landfills accepting conventional and unconventional oil and gas drilling waste found increases of 2 - 4x the background level of radioactive radium in the sediment downstream of the outfalls than above the discharge points.

Why do we continue to allow self-monitoring and self-reporting landfills?

You can read a story on the study at:Study finds radioactive materials in waterways near treatment plants associated with fracking waste (alleghenyfront.org)