The developing problem in brominated organics of the pubic drinking water supply in south western Pennsylvania

Shale found in the United States and globally represents a source of energy and economic impact too enormous to ignore. However, there are potential environmental impacts that have been discovered utilizing the unconventional drilling methods needed to extract gas from shale. In the U.S., there are environmental concerns involving to air and water quality as well as other factors such as impacts on communities.\ud \ud In Wyoming, where air quality is normally quite good, has seen extremely high levels of ozone since the gas extraction has begun. In other areas such as Pennsylvania there have been concerns of shale drilling and the contamination of private drinking water wells. Many research studies have focused on methane migration in shallow ground water wells. Additionally, in western Pennsylvania there has been an association with shale gas waste-water and elevated levels of bromide in rivers which is a major resource for drinking water. Bromide itself is not harmful and had not been tracked or regulated in Pennsylvania and therefore there are no historical records to reference. \ud \ud Bromide is a significant public health risk because bromide reacts with chlorinated organics to form disinfection by-products called trihalomethanes (THMs) in chlorinated drinking water. Local water quality experts observed higher than normal levels of brominated species of THMs since unconventional drilling in the Marcellus shale began in the region. Brominated species of disinfection by-products have been described by toxicologists as probable carcinogens and are more toxic then the chlorinated species. The numbers of violations for THMs in South Western PA correspond with the increases in drilling activity and shale gas waste-water. Additional research and policies regarding unconventional drilling and waste-water management are needed.\u