LETTER: A no brainer

Dear Editor:

A percentage of used hydrofracking fluid returns to the surface of each well, complete with the injected toxic chemicals, along with heavy metals and radium226 picked up deep in the earth.  Official Department of Environmental Conservation test analysis of this so-called “production brine” reveals benzene, arsenic, cadmium, dimethylphenol and toluene. toxicstargeting.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/foil-hl-110718.pdf.

The oil/gas corporations have to find solutions for disposal of its toxic waste.  New York has cooperated by labeling it industrial, not hazardous, waste and allowing it (through beneficial use permits) to be legally distributed to  counties and towns for road de-icing and dust control. 

To its credit, the Environmental Committee of the Ulster County Legislature has passed an ordinance which would prevent Ulster County from contracting for this deadly material.  If the Rules and Law Committee releases it, a resolution for a public hearing  will be voted on at the March 20 meeting, with the usual three-minute public comment at 7 p.m.   

I call it a no-brainer no-brainer since many of those chemicals cause neuropathology – in other words, damaged brains.  No matter how inexpensive, that stuff should not be running off county roads into our streams, wells and aquifers. 

JOAN WALKER-WASYLYK

Woodstock

joanwalker@gmail.com