Sludge has low radiation in W.Va.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – A state environmental official said Marcellus shale drilling sludge dumped at a landfill in Harrison County has a low level of radiation.
Division of Water and Waste Management director Scott Mandirola told The Exponent Telegram the sludge contains a fraction of a year’s acceptable radiation exposure for workers.
Mandirola said Waste Management won’t be cited for dumping the sludge at its Meadowfill landfill.
Another Waste Management landfill in Pennsylvania had rejected the sludge.
Mandirola said inspectors with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection checked the sludge at the Meadowfill landfill with radiation detectors. He said it measured 20 microrems per hour above natural radiation levels.
He said the federally acceptable exposure level for radiation workers is 5 rems per year, or 570 microrems per hour.