Cancer-causing Chemicals Found in Fracking Flowback From California Oil Wells

[Trillo]

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2015/fracking-02-11-2015.html

Analysis of State Documents Reveals High Levels of Benzene, Chromium-6

SAN FRANCISCO— Flowback fluid from fracked oil wells in California commonly contains dangerous levels of cancer-causing chemicals, a new analysis by the Center for Biological Diversity has found.
...
Benzene levels over 1,500 times the federal limits for drinking water were found in fracking flowback fluid tests dating back to April 2014 obtained and analyzed by the Center. Benzene in excess of federal limits was found in 320 tests, and chromium-6 was detected 118 times. Both chemicals can cause cancer.
...
Hundreds of injection wells were recently revealed to be illegally dumping oil industry wastewater into scores of California aquifers, including some that supply water for drinking and farming irrigation. Central Valley water officials also recently revealed that at least 383 oil industry wastewater pits are operating without permits or oversight. Most wastewater pits are unlined and don’t have covers.
...
High chromium-6 levels: Chromium-6 was found in fracking flowback at levels up to 2,700 times the recommended level set by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
Missing reports: At least 100 fracking flowback tests are missing from the reporting website managed by California’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources, in violation of state law.
Missing benzene data: Only 329 of the 479 fracking fluid chemical tests on the state oil agency’s website measured for benzene.
Benzene common: Of those 329 chemical tests that measured for benzene, 323 detected benzene while only six did not.
Dangerous toluene levels: Toluene, a toxin that can affect the central nervous system and harm developing fetuses, was found to exceed federal-mandated limits for drinking water 118 times.

Governor Brown has a regulatory problem of serious concern on his hands.

[TDale313]

1. Seriously disturbing.

[misterhighwasted]

2. Curious to know if any Water Bottling Co.s operate along the poison aquifers.

..and if therir purification process can possibly eliminate these toxins?
If there are an in operation, they should be halted until the water they process for human consumption is tested & thus continuously monitored.

We'd expect water bottling companies are in their business to protect consumer over profit.
But then this seems to be the era of corporate profit over consumer well being in many cases.
Just a thought.

[Panich52]

3. Those selling bottled water were always in it f/ profit.

Since the beginning of the trend bottled water has had a sketchy health record -- bacteria mostly. Some are even just bottled tap water. They prey on fears of failing infrastructure to fluoride conspiracy theories. The bottled water industry has been a scam from the start.

[misterhighwasted]

4. True. And word of the toxic ground water only makes these profits soar.

And some private corp at the top of the heap profits either way.
Scam Inc.

[blkmusclmachine]

5. POISON.

I think they're trying to kill us all...

[DhhD]

6. Two sources, one from 2009 and another from 2012 about the Cailfornia Chromium 6 problem.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chromium-water-cancer/

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Documents/Chromium6/Cr6FactSheet-03-30-2012.pdf
This site contains a link for more specific information about drinking water, in California.