Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 January 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 January 2014. It was answered by Michael Fallon (Conservative) on Monday, 20 January 2014 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Fracking

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the research conducted by the University of Missouri School of Medicine into the release of endocrine-disrupting chemicals from fracking drilling in the US and its relevance for the regulation of the hydraulic fracturing of shale gas reserves in the UK.

Answer

Public Health England will consider the University of Missouri School of Medicine's research as part of its review of the potential public health impacts of exposures to chemical land radioactive pollutants as a result of shale gas extraction. Public Health England's final report is due to be published in the summer of this year.

Operators will not be able to use chemicals for well stimulation unless the Environment Agency considers them acceptable for use. Any substances, including endocrine disruptors that are sufficiently persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic would be defined as hazardous. The Environment Agency will not permit the use of substances that are hazardous to groundwater in hydraulic fracturing, where there is a risk that these will, or might enter groundwater. The chemicals proposed for use will be listed in the operator's waste management plan, which will be publicly available.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 183104; 574 c16W
Session: 2013-14
Subjects: Fracking
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Fracking

Secondary information

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