Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org, 914-261-4626
Teresa Mills, tmills@chej.org, 614-507-5651
Columbus, OH -- In response to multiple meetings with Ohio residents raising concerns about the use of radioactive oil and gas waste on roads, the Ohio Department of Transportation will reportedly no longer purchase AquaSalina, a deicer made from oil and gas waste.
The waste has been the subject of controversy in Ohio due to legislative efforts to expand spreading of toxic radioactive oil and gas waste fluids on Ohio roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots and to eliminate Ohio’s already lax oversight. Although those bills appeared to be on the fast track to passage this legislative session, massive public outcry and concerns raised by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources managed to stall the legislation until the fall legislative session resumes.
A recent report from the Natural Resources Defense Council revealed the significant health threats posed by radioactive oil and gas waste.
“Ohioans can rest a little easier now knowing that the Ohio DOT will phase out its use of toxic, radioactive oil and gas waste in our communities,” said Sierra Club Campaign Representative Shelly Corbin. “We applaud ODOT for listening to the science and putting the health of our families over the desires of one fossil fuel company, and we urge other agencies and local and county authorities to do the same.”
“ODOT’s plan to no longer purchase AquaSalina is a win for communities and the environment, but this product can still be purchased and used by townships, counties, and metroparks across the state,” said Teresa Mills, Executive Director of the Buckeye Environmental Network. “The Ohio Department of Health has confirmed what concerned Ohioans have been saying for years: that they have not studied large volumes of AquaSalina’s product applied to roadways or the impact of multiple applications over a winter season, or over multiple years of application. There is still much work to be done to protect Ohio from this dangerous waste.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.