Public Health England's draft report on shale gas extraction (original) (raw)
Related papers
Modern Natural Gas Development and Harm to Health: The Need for Proactive Public Health Policies
ISRN Public Health, 2013
High-volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing of shale formations has the potential to make natural gas a significant, economical energy source, but the potential for harm to human health is often dismissed by proponents of this method. While adverse health outcomes of medical conditions with long latency periods will not be evident for years and will depend on the exposure, duration of exposure, dose, and other factors, we argue that it would be prudent to begin to track and monitor trends in the incidence and prevalence of diseases that already have been shown to be influenced by environmental agents. The dirty downside of modern, unconventional natural gas development, as well as the potential for harm, is discussed.
NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, 2013
Across the United States, the race for new energy sources is picking up speed and reaching more places, with natural gas in the lead. While the toxic and polluting qualities of substances used and produced in shale gas development and the general health effects of exposure are well established, scientific evidence of causal links has been limited, creating an urgent need to understand health impacts. Self-reported survey research documenting the symptoms experienced by people living in proximity to gas facilities, coupled with environmental testing, can elucidate plausible links that warrant both response and further investigation. This method, recently applied to the gas development areas of Pennsylvania, indicates the need for a range of policy and research efforts to safeguard public health.
2013
This report assesses existing research to address the question of whether unconventional gas should be endorsed as a major future energy source, based on its impacts on human health and the climate. Synopsis It’s becoming increasingly clear that Australia needs to change the way it uses energy and many of those changes will be taking place over the next decade. Our current reliance on coal is unsustainable, while Australia’s considerable reserves of unconventional gas - tight, shale and coal seam gas (CSG) - are raising controversy after being flagged as part of a major expansion of the gas industry. This report assesses existing research to address the question of whether unconventional gas should be endorsed as a major future energy source, based on its impacts on human health and the climate. There is considerable lack of information and uncertainty around the health impacts of unconventional gas extraction. However, the potential health impacts associated with fracking chemicals...