Radioactive Fracking Chemicals Dumped In Allegheny R Still In Mussels

"This means it's entering the food chain."

"Chemicals from fracking wastewater dumped into Pennsylvania's Allegheny River before 2011 are still accumulating in the bodies of freshwater mussels downstream, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found elevated concentrations of radioactive Strontium in the shells of freshwater mussels downstream from a former fracking wastewater disposal site in Warren, Pennsylvania, about 143 miles northeast (and upstream) of Pittsburgh.

While the potential health impacts on humans from this contamination are unclear, high levels of exposure to radioactive Strontium can cause cancer and birth defects."

Kristina Marusic reports for Environmental Health News September 6, 2018.