Every part of oil produc tion is harmful 509
Communities can use cameras, video, radio announcements, written
reports, and even children’s drawings to document the harm from drilling.
This documentation can be used as evidence when a community makes a
demand to stop oil drilling and environmental destruction, to enforce the
standards of the Environmental Impact Assessment, or to take legal action
against the oil company.
Separation
Oil comes out of the ground mixed with gas, heavy metals, and toxic water.
The oil must be separated from these other materials.
The dumping of the toxic water is often the largest cause of pollution.
Laws about drilling in wealthy countries require the toxic water to be put
back into the ground rather than dumped on the surface. This practice should
be followed everywhere.
The other wastes are separated and
dumped into containment ponds. Oil
companies often do nothing more than
dig a hole and dump in crude oil, drilling
wastes, toxic water, and other
wastes. These ponds often
leak into the groundwater
or overflow, contaminating
groundwater and land.
Containment ponds
should be lined with
concrete. The ponds must be
monitored for leaks and spills,
and cleaned up before the oil
operation ends.
Gas flares
The gases found with oil are often separated by burning them off. Gas flares
(see pages 511 to 512) expose workers, communities, and wildlife to pollution
that causes cancer, skin diseases, asthma, bronchitis, and other health
problems. The flares pollute the clouds, causing a “black rain” that poisons
water sources.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012