Unconventional gas mining in rural Australia health concerns
A NEW journal article published this week in Rural and Remote Health highlights increasing understanding of health concerns associated with unconventional gas mining of potential relevance to rural Australia.
“Emerging epidemiological studies suggest links between living in close proximity to unconventional gas operations and interference with foetal development and birth outcomes, exacerbation of asthma conditions and higher levels of stress. These findings are particularly concerning to rural families here in Australia,” said Melissa Haswell, Professor of Health, Safety and Environment at QUT, and article author.
“By 2015, at least 685 peerreviewed papers on health implications of shale and tight gas mining had been published, with 80 per cent between 2013 and 2015. This research should not be overlooked in the assessment of the likely costs of the industry’s development in Australia and decision making.”
“Rural residents need to be supported to access and interpret the best and most current evidence regarding the multiple health concerns associated with unconventional gas mining.”
Discussions with communities and experts, supported by the expanding research from the USA and Australia, revealed increasing health concerns in six key areas. These are:
1. No demonstrated long-term solution for hazardous wastewater management
2. Air pollution – an under-recognised significant health risk
3. Competition for water and land between gas companies and farmers
4. Risks to mental health and social and emotional wellbeing
5. High levels and potency of fugitive methane emissions promoting climate change
6. Uncertainty that regulatory regimes will prevent long-term cumulative impacts.
It is difficult to gain a broad but accurate understanding of the health concerns for rural communities because the evidence, which has grown very recently and rapidly, is complex and largely based in the USA, where the industry is advanced.
In 2013 in the USA, the number of people living within a mile of a hydraulically fractured oil or gas wells was estimated at 15.3 million. By 2015, at least 685 peer-reviewed papers on health implications of shale and tight gas mining had been published, with 80 percent between 2013 and 2015. Few papers examine health concerns associated with coal seam gas.