Those "Radioactive" Bags of Chinese Ceramics -- Never Mind

Link here to the Minot Press.

Bags of hydraulic fracturing sand stored at a Minot site do not pose a health risk. That was the determination of the North Dakota Department of Health following the completion of testing at and near the location Thursday.

The department was testing for radioactive material.

According to Dan Harman, Department of Health program manager for radioactive materials, the level of radioactivity in the area of the bags was far less than what is encountered by most people on a daily basis. Part of the concern, said Harman, was that the term "hot" is often used in reference to hydraulic fracturing sand.

"Relative to what?" said Harman. "That's a perception. From what we've seen so far they don't pose a health risk. Just being alive in nature the average John Q. Citizen is exposed to about 620 millirads of radiation per year. The readings we got in Minot were 1,000 times smaller than a millirad."

Radioactive readings were so low that they could not be measured by standard Geiger counters.

Alternative equipment was used so that micro readings could be recorded.

The Dickinson Press has not yet picked up this story. But the press does have the headline story that mobile home residents have been evicted so that a parking lot can be put in its place.

Dickinson State University Alumni and Foundation members, along with other investors are attaching student housing to the Oasis Hotel and need space for tenants to park.

Hmmm.  Interesting. Another eviction story. This time not due to the oil companies but by the university.