To: Gondring
I am sure the water supplies of bitumen-sealed wells would exceed the USEPA drinking water standards for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Initially, anyway. Over time the levels would drop as the aromatics were depleted from the coating.
It didn't much matter at the time. When your life expectancy is around 40 due to a dozen or more tropical diseases and the Anopheles mosquitoes are buzzing 'round your ears, drinking a few petroleum volatiles is the least of your concerns.
5 posted on
04/13/2007 11:15:06 AM PDT by
Oberon
(What does it take to make government shrink?)
To: Oberon
Initially, anyway. Over time the levels would drop as the aromatics were depleted from the coating. PAHs (e.g., benzo(a)pyrene) are semi-volatile compounds--they tend to be heavy and persistent, with very low allowable limits because of mutagenic and carcinogenic properties.
7 posted on
04/13/2007 11:20:13 AM PDT by
Gondring
(I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
To: Oberon
It didn't much matter at the time. When your life expectancy is around 40 due to a dozen or more tropical diseases and the Anopheles mosquitoes are buzzing 'round your ears, drinking a few petroleum volatiles is the least of your concerns. Exactly. Puts it into perspective, eh?
10 posted on
04/13/2007 11:27:23 AM PDT by
Gondring
(I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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