For over 40 years, oilfield brine has been applied on roadways in Ohio. This practice has raised concerns due to the brine’s radioactive properties, linked to serious health problems. In Licking County, this brine is used to melt ice and control dust. Researchers from Ohio State University aim to study its long-term health impact on residents in these areas, including parts of Licking, Coshocton, and Ashtabula counties.
Study on Oilfield Brine Exposure
Dr. Arbor Quist, environmental epidemiologist and assistant professor at OSU, leads this study. “I’ve worked on health effects related to oil and gas development for a decade,” Quist stated. The study, commencing this summer, involves unconventional data collection methods such as toenail clippings, baby teeth, and soil samples. Adults residing in Licking County for the past year are eligible to donate toenail clippings. For baby teeth donations, a child must have lived in the county during specific periods. Participants receive gift cards.
Concerns Beyond Licking County
Oilfield brine issues extend beyond Licking County. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources analyzed brine from 107 wells across 26 counties, finding all samples too radioactive for environmental discharge under Ohio regulations. Quist helped develop an interactive map displaying brine application sites statewide using AI. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that radium in brine can heighten bone, liver, and breast cancer risks due to its chemical similarity to calcium, causing absorption into bones.
“As radium decays, it produces radon, a gas that contributes to lung cancer,” Quist explained. Licking County is a significant location for radon in the U.S. The Columbus Dispatch named it “ground zero” for radon in 2025.
Advocacy Against Brine Usage
Radioactive brine has been legally spread in Ohio since 1985. Over 100,000 wells have been drilled in eastern Ohio since the late 1800s. As brine is considered waste, well owners sometimes provide it for free to municipalities, counties, and townships. Activists, including Jacque Morgan and the Buckeye Environmental Network, oppose this practice. Ohio Senate Bill 329, aiming to ban brine use on roads, is pending further action.
“This issue should be nonpartisan, focusing on health and welfare,” said Morgan, referencing a meeting with Sen. Tim Shaffer.
Alternatives to Oilfield Brine
Granville Township has replaced oilfield brine with a homemade de-icer using water and road salt, avoiding contaminants. Morgan urges other townships to prioritize health in similar ways. “Greed should not overshadow health and welfare,” Morgan emphasized.
Dr. Quist plans to attend the Granville Farmers Market on September 19 to discuss radium’s bodily effects and engage with local parents. “Interest and curiosity seem prevalent,” Quist noted. Morgan is hopeful for positive changes through research. She expressed, “I hope more knowledge contributes to better decisions for life quality and health.”
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