Health and fracking : should the medical profession be concerned?
Date
2014-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
The use of natural gas that is obtained from high-volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) may reduce carbon emissions relative to the use of coal and have substantial economic benefits for South Africa. However, concerns have been raised regarding the health and environmental impacts. The drilling and fracking processes use hundreds of chemicals as well as silica sand. Additional elements are either released from or formed in the shale during drilling. These substances can enter the environment in various ways: through failures in the well casing; via alternative underground pathways; as wastewater, spills and leaks on the wellpad; through transportation accidents; and as air pollution. Although many of these chemicals and elements have known adverse health effects, there is little evidence available on the health impacts of fracking. These health concerns have not yet been fully addressed in policy making, and the authors recommend that the voice of health professionals should be part of the public debate on fracking and that a full health impact assessment be required before companies are given the go-ahead to drill.
Description
CITATION: Mash, R., Minnaar, J. & Mash, B. 2014. Health and fracking: should the medical profession be concerned? South African Medical Journal, 104(5):332-335, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.7860.
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Hydraulic fracturing -- Health aspects -- South Africa
Citation
Mash, R., Minnaar, J. & Mash, B. 2014. Health and fracking: should the medical profession be concerned? South African Medical Journal, 104(5):332-335, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.7860.