PITTSBURGH — The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Bureau of Radiation Protection (BRP) said that data collected in response to the recent Chevron well fire in Greene County showed no radiation levels above normal “background” levels.
On Feb. 13 and 14, DEP’s BRP responded to the Chevron well fire in Greene County to ensure the public were not being exposed to unsafe radiation levels. Data was collected at three separate sample locations and sent to the DEP Bureau of Laboratories for analysis.
Naturally occurring radioactive material is present at some level in all areas. This results in local radiation levels, which are identified as background.
Background level
To determine if there is an increase in radioactivity, it is necessary to determine the appropriate background level.
The difference between a measured level and the background level would represent the increase due to some activity.
The department has begun to collect information on the incident and will conduct an investigation to determine, if possible, a cause and outline what steps might be taken to avoid similar incidents in the future.
DEP inspectors continue to visit the site daily to monitor activities on the well pad.
In addition to radiation sampling, DEP has completed all air quality sampling and has started soil sampling. These results will also be made available in summary reports when the analyses are completed.
View
To view the summary report, click here.
