Frackers Use Loophole To Avoid Permits for Dangerous Chemicals: Report

"Federal laws meant to protect drinking water require fracking companies to get a permit before using diesel fuel in the drilling process.

That permit is important: Diesel contains chemicals that can cause cancer and damage nerve tissues. The permits regulate the length and depth of concrete and steel well casings that keep those chemicals from reaching groundwater.

But a loophole in the law allows oil and gas companies to separately inject the same toxic chemicals without a permit, according to a report released by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Environmental Integrity Project.

Four chemicals in diesel — benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene — are the biggest worries to federal regulators and environmental and health officials. Benzene is a known carcinogen. Ethylbenzene and toluene can cause neurological problems."

Laura Arenschield reports for the Columbus Dispatch October 23, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Fracking Companies Using Toxic Benzene in Drilling: Group" (Bloomberg Businessweek)

"Loophole Allows Many Dangerous Chemicals In Fracking Fluids To Go Undisclosed: Report" (Huffington Post)