The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) in Northern Ireland has welcomed the publication of the Public-Health England report on the potential public health impacts of exposure to chemical and radioactive pollutants as a result of shale gas extraction by hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

Gary McFarlane Director CIEH NI said, “The CIEH does not object to shale gas extraction provided the impacts and remediation of those impacts are fully understood and taken into account and this report is an important contribution to the information base surrounding this process.

‘It is important to note that the report explicitly does not look at the sustainable use of water resources or local environment issues such as noise and odours, nor the socio economic benefits or impacts of extraction to local communities.  Nevertheless, the key message from the report is that on the currently available evidence the potential risks to public health from the emissions associated with shale gas extraction will be low if the operations are properly run within a framework of robust environmental regulation.’

That is an important proviso, however, and the CIEH has consistently made the case for a full environmental impact assessment to be carried out on all shale gas extraction proposals before permission to drill is given. 

Mr McFarlane continued,”‘In the enthusiasm to exploit new sources of energy we must ensure that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on the environment or on the health of people in the communities surrounding extraction sites. We further believe that there has been, particularly in recent times, a lack of community engagement in decisions that have been taken concerning the future of this process in Northern Ireland. This report calls for adequate risk assessment. We fully support that – but do not believe that this has, as yet, been carried out in sufficient scope for Northern Ireland.”

Mandatory environmental impact assessment which the CIEH would support is not a recommendation in the report but is alluded to in PHE’s call for adequate risk assessment, baseline and continuous environmental monitoring during the extraction process, and the need to assess the broader socio-economic impacts which reflect the longer term precautionary principle.

Gary concluded, “The CIEH position is not opposed to shale gas extraction as such. However, we believe that there is currently neither sufficient evidence, nor community confidence to do so at present. Neither do we believe that a strategic overview is being taken with regards to future energy needs and best options in lght of current and future challenges to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. In the context of Northern Ireland this ought to be approached on an all island basis. We will shortly be publishing a comprehensive report which reviews current evidence across a number of aspects associated with this process including environmental and public health aspects and socio economic considerations.”

ENDSFor further information contact Caroline Murphy at Aiken PR on 02890663000 or caroline@aikenpr.com