× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

WATFORD CITY, N.D. — State health officials continue to investigate thousands of pounds of potentially radioactive filter socks and debris stored at an oil field service company site in rural McKenzie County.

Two open trailers loaded with torn garbage bags leaking filters and oily matter were reported Thursday, and the North Dakota Department of Health ordered the Riverton, Wyo., company to get them into a proper container no later than Monday, submit a plan for disposal and clean up the contaminated soil.

The socks apparently were used to filter flowback fluids from hydraulic fracturing, and David Glatt, chief of the environmental section, said Monday his investigators will identify the oil well owners and any oil field contractors to learn who generated the waste and who is liable.

He said he also wants to know how long the filter socks had been accumulating on those trailers.

The socks are notorious for concentrating naturally occurring radiation in oil well fluids at levels higher than the state’s threshold of 5 picocuries. They are banned for disposal in North Dakota landfills. Haulers attempting to take them to landfills are subject to fines and being reported.