Health Risk from Exposure to Fracking Emissions Is Low

Published on 04-11-2013 by Dr Paul Beckett

According to the British government’s health agency, public health risks from exposure to fracking emissions are low, despite fears related to shale gas extraction. This confirms the results Phlorum has obtained from their work on assessing emissions from fracking processes for our clients.
Fracking is the process of drilling a hole into the ground and injecting fluid at a high pressure to fracture shale rocks in order to release the natural gas that is trapped inside. Environmental campaigners have been widely criticising the impact the process could have on the surrounding areas, and have staged anti-fracking protests in the UK. They believe that fracking could cause earthquakes and would pollute ground water.
Results from the Public Health England (PHE) research revealed that risks to public health are minimal if the operations are properly performed and regulated.
The evidence implies that health risks related to the extraction of shale gas are low, with well construction and maintenance being vital to reduce the risk of ground water contamination, said John Harrison, director at the PHE’s centre for radiation, chemical, and environmental hazards.
Over the past five years, shale gas has been called a game-changer for the energy industry by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The UK shale gas industry could create around 30,000 jobs which could help communities to develop.
The British Geographical Survey stated in a study that there are about 1.3 trillion cubic feet of shale gas lying under Lancashire and Yorkshire alone.
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