.... These risks are primarily associated with (a) contamination due to drilling wastes (muds, produced waters, byproducts, etc.); emissions from drilling sites and potential runoffs, (b) natural gas/oil leaks and spills, and (c) direct effects on human health. The drilling fluids circulated through the well hole...

... a significant threat to human health or the environment and, therefore, regulating these wastes as hazardous under RCRA is unjustified. The EPA provided three criteria that must be met in order for a waste to be considered exempt. Exempt wastes must be: (a) intrinsic to exploration, development or production...