Monday, July 27, 2026
Science

Pennsylvania roads are being coated in radioactive wastewater—here's why

Pennsylvania's roughly 100,000 oil and gas wells produce wastewater that's many times saltier than seawater and contains radium, a known carcinogen. For decades, that saltwater, called brine, was spread on dirt and gravel roads across the state to control dust and on paved roads to melt ice.

Pennsylvania roads are being coated in radioactive wastewater—here's why
Image: Phys.org
Pennsylvania's roughly 100,000 oil and gas wells produce wastewater that's many times saltier than seawater and contains radium, a known carcinogen. For decades, that saltwater, called brine, was spread on dirt and gravel roads across the state to control dust and on paved roads to melt ice.

Originally published at Phys.org

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