Oil, gas must report hazardous materials, Ohio EPA requirement started Sept. 21

Oil, gas must report hazardous materials, Ohio EPA requirement started Sept. 21 by Phil Foreman, October 8, 2013, The Marietta Times
People who live near Washington County’s oil and gas drilling operations might be alarmed with what they might find on site. As of Sept. 21, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is requiring oil and gas producers to inform local first responders and emergency management agencies what hazardous chemicals are being stored and used in the drilling operations. Hazardous chemicals such as barium sulfate, ethylene glycol, hydrochloric acid and formaldehyde are chemicals typically used when wells are drilled and go into production. … Jeff Lauer, director of the Washington County Emergency Management Agency, said the Local Emergency Planning Commission was established to help the public respond to and become informed about possible hazards. “(The requirement) follows all the local chemical plants,” Lauer said. “They have to send that to the local first responders so they know what they are dealing with. That’s a good thing.”
…
Fact Box
Hazard Materials
* These substances are some of the hazardous material typically listed by oil and gas producers.
* Barium sulfate: Barium sulfate increases the density of the fluid.
* Ethylene glycol: Prevents plugging off the formation.
* Hydrochloric acid: Cleans cement and drilling mud from the bore hole.
* Petroleum distillates: Minimizes friction.
* Formaldehyde: A carcinogen, the natural gas and petroleum industries use formaldehyde-based resins in drilling operations, to increase oil and gas well yield and to improve service life.
…
Deborah Misel, of 1190 Dixon Ridge Road, Lowell, in Adams Township, has a drilling operation just below her home. She agreed informing emergency personnel about the hazardous chemicals used in the drilling is good for the people. “You can’t treat a person for injuries received if you don’t know what they’ve been exposed to,” she said.