Is Fracking Good for Your Health? An Analysis of the Impacts of Unconventional Gas on Health and Climate

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.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.
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 used for extracting unconventional gas are serious. They include cancer, skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems, damage to the nervous system, cells and blood, endocrine disruption and reproductive problems. The effects of climate change are likely to exacerbate certain health risks and the vulnerability of certain groups including the elderly, rural and indigenous communities, as well as future generations. This report finds that unconventional gas should not be endorsed from an environmental and human health perspective and states that the current case against further expansion of the industry is overwhelming. Taking into account the evidence that exists for the health and climate impacts of unconventional gas, this does not represent the best option for Australia’s energy future, either as a stepping-stone or a final destination. (APO 27 November 2013)