Nuclear waste dumped illegally in Kentucky

[bananas]

Source: Courier-Journal

Drilling wastes containing concentrated but naturally occurring radio active materials made their way into Kentucky, state officials confirmed on Thursday.

After learning that low-level nuclear waste from drilling operations had been dumped illegally in Kentucky last year, state officials this week are warning all landfills to be on the lookout and to not accept any more.

Kentucky Division of Waste Management Director Tony Hatton said officials have confirmed that low-level nuclear waste from drilling operations in Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia was sent to a landfill in Estill County between July and November. Officials are also investigating possible shipments of similar waste to a landfill in Greenup County.

He said the waste comes from rock and brine that's brought to the surface during oil and gas drilling. Naturally occurring radionuclides concentrate during the process. A West Virginia company that recycles the drilling further concentrates the radionuclides - and that's the waste that Hatton said made to the Blue Ridge Landfill last year in the small town of Irvine, Kentucky, in Estill County, he said.

<snip>

The radionuclides in the waste can have a half-life of more than 1,000 years while liners used in municipal solid waste landfills are warranted typically for only 30 years, FitzGerald said. A half-life is the amount of time required for half the atoms in a radioactive substance to disintegrate.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/tech/science/environment/2016/02/25/nuclear-waste-dumped-illegally-kentucky/80924622/

[silvershadow]

1. link require subscription. nt

[Hulk]

2. Defund the EPA. Who needs to know about poison levels.

I'm sure it's their fault anyway, as they didn't prevent the polluters from contaminating the waters, soil and air they breathe.

What is Turtlehead and Paul's phone number again?

[saturnsring]

3. kentucky, the radioactive garbage dump of the rustbelt

[leftofcool]

5. Wrong!

We have beautiful lakes, mountains, rolling hills, rock formations and many beautiful people. We were also the first in ACA health, have had good Democratic Governors, until recently. You can keep your garbage dump comments to yourself.

[atreides1]

7. With your current governor

...and his Republican robots in your state legislature, it's probably a good bet that Kentucky will become a garbage dump!

By the way you forgot to list the new Ark Encounter park, that's slated to open in July of this year!

[saturnsring]

11. argue with the article

Kentucky Division of Waste Management Director Tony Hatton said officials have confirmed that low-level nuclear waste from drilling operations in Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia was sent to a landfill in Estill County between July and November.

[Rebubula]

9. Guessing you know very little about Kentucky

All states have problems and our new Gov is one of them.

However, this is a beautiful state rich in nature and very good people. I lived in the DC area for 30 years before moving here recently - BEST MOVE EVER. OK...except for marrying my wife 2 years ago

Please restrain yourself from making ignorant, blanket comments based on a single issue.

[saturnsring]

12. Kentucky Division of Waste Management Director Tony Hatton said officials have confirmed that low-le

Kentucky Division of Waste Management Director Tony Hatton said officials have confirmed that low-level nuclear waste from drilling operations in Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia was sent to a landfill in Estill County between July and November.

[Rebubula]

14. OK....

No one is arguing that point.

We are arguing your demeaning, blanket statement about an entire Commenwealth based on one topic.

[Wellstone ruled]

10. Try Texas,Utah,South Dakota,and Nevada.

These states have the largest toxic waste disposal sites.

[Turbineguy]

4. Look at the bright side.

At least they have Mitch McConnell.

[appalachiablue]

6. Corportate criminals poisoning people and the earth.

[LannyDeVaney]

8. A common side effect is weird human-turtle hybrids who drool incoherently

[Marty McGraw]

13. All radiation is Naturally Occuring

it's all about the compressed timing it is exposed into the environment.

what a play on wording

Kentuc wast management is hoping only a repug eyeball will take heed, I'd wager.