thank you very much for the invitation to be here I’m very pleased to be here a
to be here I’m very pleased to be here a
to be here I’m very pleased to be here a big part of the debate about fracking is
big part of the debate about fracking is
big part of the debate about fracking is certainly related to public health
certainly related to public health
certainly related to public health so that means groups of people but in
so that means groups of people but in
so that means groups of people but in fact we need to consider what happens to
fact we need to consider what happens to
fact we need to consider what happens to individuals whether they’re in the
individuals whether they’re in the
individuals whether they’re in the workplace fracking or whether they’re in
workplace fracking or whether they’re in
workplace fracking or whether they’re in the community and then we know that in
the community and then we know that in
the community and then we know that in Scotland in Wales in Northern Ireland
Scotland in Wales in Northern Ireland
Scotland in Wales in Northern Ireland and in Ireland fracking at the moment
and in Ireland fracking at the moment
and in Ireland fracking at the moment shouldn’t be going ahead there are
shouldn’t be going ahead there are
shouldn’t be going ahead there are various forms of bans there but it’s
various forms of bans there but it’s
various forms of bans there but it’s still happening in England and it’s
still happening in England and it’s
still happening in England and it’s still happening elsewhere so what I want
still happening elsewhere so what I want
still happening elsewhere so what I want to do is have a look at how the position
to do is have a look at how the position
to do is have a look at how the position has arisen whereby fracking has been
has arisen whereby fracking has been
has arisen whereby fracking has been accepted in some places and not others
accepted in some places and not others
accepted in some places and not others and to what extent it presents a
and to what extent it presents a
and to what extent it presents a significant individual national and
significant individual national and
significant individual national and possibly a global threat to public
possibly a global threat to public
possibly a global threat to public health to do that I want to link it to
health to do that I want to link it to
health to do that I want to link it to not just debates about the science and
not just debates about the science and
not just debates about the science and the technology but also the policy if
the technology but also the policy if
the technology but also the policy if you hear some industry views at one
you hear some industry views at one
you hear some industry views at one level they say well we’ve got the
level they say well we’ve got the
level they say well we’ve got the technology under control we know what
technology under control we know what
technology under control we know what we’re doing we understand what sort of
we’re doing we understand what sort of
we’re doing we understand what sort of exposures can occur we understand the
exposures can occur we understand the
exposures can occur we understand the routes that people may be exposed by we
routes that people may be exposed by we
routes that people may be exposed by we understand the effects and they also say
understand the effects and they also say
understand the effects and they also say well it’s very well regulated and our
well it’s very well regulated and our
well it’s very well regulated and our practice as an industry is very good so
practice as an industry is very good so
practice as an industry is very good so don’t worry at one level that’s a simple
don’t worry at one level that’s a simple
don’t worry at one level that’s a simple solution at another level they will say
solution at another level they will say
solution at another level they will say well of course technology always goes
well of course technology always goes
well of course technology always goes wrong there will be failures of
wrong there will be failures of
wrong there will be failures of machinery
machinery
machinery there will be exposures but the key
there will be exposures but the key
there will be exposures but the key thing is they’re not going to be
thing is they’re not going to be
thing is they’re not going to be significant ones and they’re not going
significant ones and they’re not going
significant ones and they’re not going to threaten either the workers health in
to threaten either the workers health in
to threaten either the workers health in the industry or communities that’s
the industry or communities that’s
the industry or communities that’s that’s the argument so what you’ve got
that’s the argument so what you’ve got
that’s the argument so what you’ve got in front of you there is something that
in front of you there is something that
in front of you there is something that Seaport Scotch Environment Protection
Seaport Scotch Environment Protection
Seaport Scotch Environment Protection Agency produced which gives you and I
Agency produced which gives you and I
Agency produced which gives you and I about shale gas generally and also coal
about shale gas generally and also coal
about shale gas generally and also coal bed methane I mainly talk about fracking
bed methane I mainly talk about fracking
bed methane I mainly talk about fracking so we’re talking about fracking shale
so we’re talking about fracking shale
so we’re talking about fracking shale rock with high-pressure water injecting
rock with high-pressure water injecting
rock with high-pressure water injecting also sand and various fluids and other
also sand and various fluids and other
also sand and various fluids and other agents and then using proppants to make
agents and then using proppants to make
agents and then using proppants to make sure that you can get the hydrocarbons
sure that you can get the hydrocarbons
sure that you can get the hydrocarbons out so that’s how the process works and
out so that’s how the process works and
out so that’s how the process works and I think CP are quite nice about this
I think CP are quite nice about this
I think CP are quite nice about this here so they’re saying this is where
here so they’re saying this is where
here so they’re saying this is where pollution can occur and if you see there
pollution can occur and if you see there
pollution can occur and if you see there could be things going up in the air so
could be things going up in the air so
could be things going up in the air so it could be air pollution there could be
it could be air pollution there could be
it could be air pollution there could be soil pollution about which very little
soil pollution about which very little
soil pollution about which very little is known even in the US and there could
is known even in the US and there could
is known even in the US and there could be water pollution as you you drill down
be water pollution as you you drill down
be water pollution as you you drill down and the argument goes we drill down
and the argument goes we drill down
and the argument goes we drill down where those liquid goes out things come
where those liquid goes out things come
where those liquid goes out things come up and everything’s under control
up and everything’s under control
up and everything’s under control and here you don’t see the whole
and here you don’t see the whole
and here you don’t see the whole lifecycle analysis of fracking you see
lifecycle analysis of fracking you see
lifecycle analysis of fracking you see lorries going outside at the fracking
lorries going outside at the fracking
lorries going outside at the fracking zone you don’t see things coming in and
zone you don’t see things coming in and
zone you don’t see things coming in and if we want to assess the public health
if we want to assess the public health
if we want to assess the public health impacts of fracking we need to look at
impacts of fracking we need to look at
impacts of fracking we need to look at all the materials all of the machinery
all the materials all of the machinery
all the materials all of the machinery and so on that comes in and then we need
and so on that comes in and then we need
and so on that comes in and then we need to track it through to its disposal
to track it through to its disposal
to track it through to its disposal significantly we can see economic
significantly we can see economic
significantly we can see economic assessments their economic life cycle
assessments their economic life cycle
assessments their economic life cycle analyses of fracking but we don’t have
analyses of fracking but we don’t have
analyses of fracking but we don’t have public health ones but what is also
public health ones but what is also
public health ones but what is also significant is that the Scottish
significant is that the Scottish
significant is that the Scottish government carried out a big exercise
government carried out a big exercise
government carried out a big exercise that people are very familiar with and
that people are very familiar with and
that people are very familiar with and decided we didn’t know enough about the
decided we didn’t know enough about the
decided we didn’t know enough about the health effects to allow fracking to go
health effects to allow fracking to go
health effects to allow fracking to go ahead but they also brought in economic
ahead but they also brought in economic
ahead but they also brought in economic arguments and other arguments and I
arguments and other arguments and I
arguments and other arguments and I think in that sense a lot of countries
think in that sense a lot of countries
think in that sense a lot of countries might benefit from using the public
might benefit from using the public
might benefit from using the public health strategy okay so the assumption
health strategy okay so the assumption
health strategy okay so the assumption has been that risk assessment and risk
has been that risk assessment and risk
has been that risk assessment and risk management of shale gas has been fine
management of shale gas has been fine
management of shale gas has been fine and one of the arguments from certain
and one of the arguments from certain
and one of the arguments from certain literary peers down in Westminster has
literary peers down in Westminster has
literary peers down in Westminster has been well we use coal where we developed
been well we use coal where we developed
been well we use coal where we developed steel in the past we’ve used wood no
steel in the past we’ve used wood no
steel in the past we’ve used wood no problem there with those sorts of energy
problem there with those sorts of energy
problem there with those sorts of energy sources of course nobody knew about what
sources of course nobody knew about what
sources of course nobody knew about what the effects might be of those particular
the effects might be of those particular
the effects might be of those particular developments and it may well have been
developments and it may well have been
developments and it may well have been that even if we did no indeed if we had
that even if we did no indeed if we had
that even if we did no indeed if we had no we probably have gone ahead but we
no we probably have gone ahead but we
no we probably have gone ahead but we know far more now about what the impacts
know far more now about what the impacts
know far more now about what the impacts of some of the substances and some of
of some of the substances and some of
of some of the substances and some of the processes will be and indeed there
the processes will be and indeed there
the processes will be and indeed there was evidence at the time about big
was evidence at the time about big
was evidence at the time about big problems with some of these materials
problems with some of these materials
problems with some of these materials and the argument goes well we must have
and the argument goes well we must have
and the argument goes well we must have shale gas for energy well of course
shale gas for energy well of course
shale gas for energy well of course there’s a lot of evidence showing that
there’s a lot of evidence showing that
there’s a lot of evidence showing that in fact why we’re getting a lot of shale
in fact why we’re getting a lot of shale
in fact why we’re getting a lot of shale gas is to develop plastics and that
gas is to develop plastics and that
gas is to develop plastics and that presents another set of of public health
presents another set of of public health
presents another set of of public health assessments that I won’t go into now
assessments that I won’t go into now
assessments that I won’t go into now this picture you might think is the
this picture you might think is the
this picture you might think is the finned whole community going down to
finned whole community going down to
finned whole community going down to Inverness for a Friday night out but it
Inverness for a Friday night out but it
Inverness for a Friday night out but it isn’t it’s actually shale oil miners
isn’t it’s actually shale oil miners
isn’t it’s actually shale oil miners shale oil miners in West colder in 1935
shale oil miners in West colder in 1935
shale oil miners in West colder in 1935 and the argument there was well it’s not
and the argument there was well it’s not
and the argument there was well it’s not particularly hazardous industry the
particularly hazardous industry the
particularly hazardous industry the reason they’re wearing capes by the way
reason they’re wearing capes by the way
reason they’re wearing capes by the way is because of water down in the mine not
is because of water down in the mine not
is because of water down in the mine not necessarily because of any exposures in
necessarily because of any exposures in
necessarily because of any exposures in fact there were lots of exposures but
fact there were lots of exposures but
fact there were lots of exposures but the biggest problem came for the process
the biggest problem came for the process
the biggest problem came for the process workers of shale oil the paraffin
workers of shale oil the paraffin
workers of shale oil the paraffin workers who were exposed to very high
workers who were exposed to very high
workers who were exposed to very high levels of a range of chemicals that
levels of a range of chemicals that
levels of a range of chemicals that cause very serious cancers and if you’re
cause very serious cancers and if you’re
cause very serious cancers and if you’re asked about well you know we get on top
asked about well you know we get on top
asked about well you know we get on top of the problems very quickly in the
of the problems very quickly in the
of the problems very quickly in the 1870s they were diagnosing these
1870s they were diagnosing these
1870s they were diagnosing these diseases and it was 50 years on and they
diseases and it was 50 years on and they
diseases and it was 50 years on and they were still diagnosing these diseases so
were still diagnosing these diseases so
were still diagnosing these diseases so you could say well we’re much much
you could say well we’re much much
you could say well we’re much much better now we’re much more sophisticated
better now we’re much more sophisticated
better now we’re much more sophisticated in what we do and you won’t get these
in what we do and you won’t get these
in what we do and you won’t get these sorts of problems but in fact there are
sorts of problems but in fact there are
sorts of problems but in fact there are a lot of vicious circles operating there
a lot of vicious circles operating there
a lot of vicious circles operating there one is you don’t look you don’t find so
one is you don’t look you don’t find so
one is you don’t look you don’t find so there’s not a problem and quite often
there’s not a problem and quite often
there’s not a problem and quite often people don’t want you to look because if
people don’t want you to look because if
people don’t want you to look because if you find a problem it’s re going to be
you find a problem it’s re going to be
you find a problem it’s re going to be expensive or it’ll delay the technology
expensive or it’ll delay the technology
expensive or it’ll delay the technology and there’ll be all sorts of issues
and there’ll be all sorts of issues
and there’ll be all sorts of issues that’s that’s one sort of vicious circle
that’s that’s one sort of vicious circle
that’s that’s one sort of vicious circle and I think it still applies in some
and I think it still applies in some
and I think it still applies in some areas as I’ll explain in a few
areas as I’ll explain in a few
areas as I’ll explain in a few it’s the other one is you don’t have the
it’s the other one is you don’t have the
it’s the other one is you don’t have the capacity to look you don’t have the the
capacity to look you don’t have the the
capacity to look you don’t have the the monitoring equipment and so on you can’t
monitoring equipment and so on you can’t
monitoring equipment and so on you can’t work out what the effects of shale gas
work out what the effects of shale gas
work out what the effects of shale gas would be both in a community and Beyond
would be both in a community and Beyond
would be both in a community and Beyond and then there are various versions of
and then there are various versions of
and then there are various versions of that as well
that as well
that as well that as you go along what you do have
that as you go along what you do have
that as you go along what you do have the technology you can monitor but you
the technology you can monitor but you
the technology you can monitor but you can’t make sense of it or you monitor it
can’t make sense of it or you monitor it
can’t make sense of it or you monitor it and you don’t release the results
and you don’t release the results
and you don’t release the results because this may be problematic
because this may be problematic
because this may be problematic so these vicious circles certainly have
so these vicious circles certainly have
so these vicious circles certainly have been running around for quite a while
been running around for quite a while
been running around for quite a while and they’re basically linked in with
and they’re basically linked in with
and they’re basically linked in with this old adage about absence of evidence
this old adage about absence of evidence
this old adage about absence of evidence isn’t evidence of absence that it allows
isn’t evidence of absence that it allows
isn’t evidence of absence that it allows if you don’t look for people to say well
if you don’t look for people to say well
if you don’t look for people to say well there isn’t a problem and that’s
there isn’t a problem and that’s
there isn’t a problem and that’s basically because you’ve not found it
basically because you’ve not found it
basically because you’ve not found it because you’ve not looked and you
because you’ve not looked and you
because you’ve not looked and you haven’t found it it doesn’t mean that
haven’t found it it doesn’t mean that
haven’t found it it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a problem so an illustration
there isn’t a problem so an illustration
there isn’t a problem so an illustration of this just working its way through
of this just working its way through
of this just working its way through thinking about fracking benzine may
thinking about fracking benzine may
thinking about fracking benzine may occur naturally in terms of the geology
occur naturally in terms of the geology
occur naturally in terms of the geology and so on and it may also be part of the
and so on and it may also be part of the
and so on and it may also be part of the fracking process so the industry said
fracking process so the industry said
fracking process so the industry said well this is a well-established
well this is a well-established
well this is a well-established substance you don’t have to worry
substance you don’t have to worry
substance you don’t have to worry they’ll be no exposures but in fact in
they’ll be no exposures but in fact in
they’ll be no exposures but in fact in the 1980s and indeed in the 1970s they
the 1980s and indeed in the 1970s they
the 1980s and indeed in the 1970s they were saying you actually should have
were saying you actually should have
were saying you actually should have tight standards of these and the
tight standards of these and the
tight standards of these and the standard they were suggesting in was ten
standard they were suggesting in was ten
standard they were suggesting in was ten parts per million sorry and the
parts per million sorry and the
parts per million sorry and the government regulators in the UK said
government regulators in the UK said
government regulators in the UK said well you know we’re quite happy with
well you know we’re quite happy with
well you know we’re quite happy with running with some of these standards now
running with some of these standards now
running with some of these standards now we’re down to nought point one part per
we’re down to nought point one part per
we’re down to nought point one part per million and it’s viewed as highly
million and it’s viewed as highly
million and it’s viewed as highly problematic for a range of reasons and
problematic for a range of reasons and
problematic for a range of reasons and if you look beyond the workplace that’s
if you look beyond the workplace that’s
if you look beyond the workplace that’s the wordplay standard now we see that
the wordplay standard now we see that
the wordplay standard now we see that risk assessments have identified a
risk assessments have identified a
risk assessments have identified a difficulty about working back so high
difficulty about working back so high
difficulty about working back so high doses means big problems low doses don’t
doses means big problems low doses don’t
doses means big problems low doses don’t that has collapsed in toxicology so
that has collapsed in toxicology so
that has collapsed in toxicology so there are real issues about very low
there are real issues about very low
there are real issues about very low dose dose exposures and there may be
dose dose exposures and there may be
dose dose exposures and there may be particularly vulnerable groups so they
particularly vulnerable groups so they
particularly vulnerable groups so they found that in fact benzene goes across
found that in fact benzene goes across
found that in fact benzene goes across the
the
the human placenta and through milk so it
human placenta and through milk so it
human placenta and through milk so it could be a problem in fact to to an
could be a problem in fact to to an
could be a problem in fact to to an infant and they’re even issues in fact
infant and they’re even issues in fact
infant and they’re even issues in fact about cross generational effects of
about cross generational effects of
about cross generational effects of benzene so we started off being very
benzene so we started off being very
benzene so we started off being very confident you know we can control it and
confident you know we can control it and
confident you know we can control it and now all of a sudden we’re saying that
now all of a sudden we’re saying that
now all of a sudden we’re saying that very low levels could be highly
very low levels could be highly
very low levels could be highly problematic both for communities and for
problematic both for communities and for
problematic both for communities and for workers so this is where I think you
workers so this is where I think you
workers so this is where I think you should think of new approaches and new
should think of new approaches and new
should think of new approaches and new tools a lot is made about the energy mix
tools a lot is made about the energy mix
tools a lot is made about the energy mix you know you’ve got to have the right
you know you’ve got to have the right
you know you’ve got to have the right range of things but in fact we should be
range of things but in fact we should be
range of things but in fact we should be looking at what chemical mixtures there
looking at what chemical mixtures there
looking at what chemical mixtures there are and to what extent they may affect
are and to what extent they may affect
are and to what extent they may affect people and there’s two things that
people and there’s two things that
people and there’s two things that really we ought to be building in now to
really we ought to be building in now to
really we ought to be building in now to our risk assessments one is the exposome
our risk assessments one is the exposome
our risk assessments one is the exposome and the exposome is estimating the total
and the exposome is estimating the total
and the exposome is estimating the total exposures that might occur prenatal and
exposures that might occur prenatal and
exposures that might occur prenatal and postnatal and there could be critical
postnatal and there could be critical
postnatal and there could be critical points where the effects will be very
points where the effects will be very
points where the effects will be very serious so they could be very short for
serious so they could be very short for
serious so they could be very short for instance in in in the pregnancy cycle
instance in in in the pregnancy cycle
instance in in in the pregnancy cycle and they could be very short in terms of
and they could be very short in terms of
and they could be very short in terms of children but as you grow older you may
children but as you grow older you may
children but as you grow older you may still be getting lots and lots of
still be getting lots and lots of
still be getting lots and lots of exposures so bear in mind the exposome
exposures so bear in mind the exposome
exposures so bear in mind the exposome and also bear in mind the point about
and also bear in mind the point about
and also bear in mind the point about cumulative health impact assessments
cumulative health impact assessments
cumulative health impact assessments which means that in fact you should
which means that in fact you should
which means that in fact you should consider the chemicals in the industry
consider the chemicals in the industry
consider the chemicals in the industry you should consider deprivation because
you should consider deprivation because
you should consider deprivation because you should consider a whole range of
you should consider a whole range of
you should consider a whole range of things which is complicated and
things which is complicated and
things which is complicated and challenging but if we don’t make those
challenging but if we don’t make those
challenging but if we don’t make those assessments we’re not really going to be
assessments we’re not really going to be
assessments we’re not really going to be able to work out what the impacts of
able to work out what the impacts of
able to work out what the impacts of various processes might be of course the
various processes might be of course the
various processes might be of course the argument about shale gas is that we
argument about shale gas is that we
argument about shale gas is that we already know a fair amount about it
already know a fair amount about it
already know a fair amount about it although relatively recently so this is
although relatively recently so this is
although relatively recently so this is a picture of the literature that’s grown
a picture of the literature that’s grown
a picture of the literature that’s grown on the subject and in science you’re
on the subject and in science you’re
on the subject and in science you’re always looking at direction of travel
always looking at direction of travel
always looking at direction of travel and the direction of travel has
and the direction of travel has
and the direction of travel has generally been that the fracking process
generally been that the fracking process
generally been that the fracking process and the exposures of populations and
and the exposures of populations and
and the exposures of populations and different communities is presenting real
different communities is presenting real
different communities is presenting real risk we
risk we
risk we there are hazards we know there are
there are hazards we know there are
there are hazards we know there are risks and importantly we main we may be
risks and importantly we main we may be
risks and importantly we main we may be aware that there are unknown hazards
aware that there are unknown hazards
aware that there are unknown hazards there so data gaps can be as important
there so data gaps can be as important
there so data gaps can be as important in public health as the data knowledge
in public health as the data knowledge
in public health as the data knowledge few quick examples of how this operates
few quick examples of how this operates
few quick examples of how this operates there’s a great deal of attention being
there’s a great deal of attention being
there’s a great deal of attention being paid to water and people have said well
paid to water and people have said well
paid to water and people have said well if we look at the u.s. there isn’t water
if we look at the u.s. there isn’t water
if we look at the u.s. there isn’t water pollution and there aren’t problems but
pollution and there aren’t problems but
pollution and there aren’t problems but in fact if you look at what American
in fact if you look at what American
in fact if you look at what American researchers are saying they’re saying
researchers are saying they’re saying
researchers are saying they’re saying that it’s very difficult in some
that it’s very difficult in some
that it’s very difficult in some instances to identify data on fracking
instances to identify data on fracking
instances to identify data on fracking processes so how do you assess the risk
processes so how do you assess the risk
processes so how do you assess the risk it’s a leap in the dark
it’s a leap in the dark
it’s a leap in the dark and what’s intriguing about the u.s.
and what’s intriguing about the u.s.
and what’s intriguing about the u.s. Environment Protection Agency picture
Environment Protection Agency picture
Environment Protection Agency picture there is they’re actually showing things
there is they’re actually showing things
there is they’re actually showing things going into the workplace as well as
going into the workplace as well as
going into the workplace as well as things going out that needs to be part
things going out that needs to be part
things going out that needs to be part of the total assessment you know
of the total assessment you know
of the total assessment you know exposure to disease or exposure to these
exposure to disease or exposure to these
exposure to disease or exposure to these diesel transport problems and so on and
diesel transport problems and so on and
diesel transport problems and so on and what’s often missing from these pictures
what’s often missing from these pictures
what’s often missing from these pictures is not just the chemical insults but
is not just the chemical insults but
is not just the chemical insults but also issues about mental health and
also issues about mental health and
also issues about mental health and well-being and what’s very well
well-being and what’s very well
well-being and what’s very well documented now is communities threatened
documented now is communities threatened
documented now is communities threatened with fracking not necessarily where
with fracking not necessarily where
with fracking not necessarily where fracking has occurred have experienced
fracking has occurred have experienced
fracking has occurred have experienced significant public health problems
significant public health problems
significant public health problems because of anxiety and so on and that
because of anxiety and so on and that
because of anxiety and so on and that should be factored in that’s part of the
should be factored in that’s part of the
should be factored in that’s part of the consideration we told that regulation
consideration we told that regulation
consideration we told that regulation and inspection and industry practice
and inspection and industry practice
and inspection and industry practice will be good well we’ve just seen a
will be good well we’ve just seen a
will be good well we’ve just seen a recent report coming out of the European
recent report coming out of the European
recent report coming out of the European Union which was looking at regulatory
Union which was looking at regulatory
Union which was looking at regulatory practices and they found that there were
practices and they found that there were
practices and they found that there were real worries about whether we had the
real worries about whether we had the
real worries about whether we had the capacity to treat wastewater where
capacity to treat wastewater where
capacity to treat wastewater where whether the various sites were
whether the various sites were
whether the various sites were appropriate and whether or not the
appropriate and whether or not the
appropriate and whether or not the variety of European governments would
variety of European governments would
variety of European governments would actually exercise appropriate control of
actually exercise appropriate control of
actually exercise appropriate control of the process I won’t get into brexit but
the process I won’t get into brexit but
the process I won’t get into brexit but there’s clearly one school of thought
there’s clearly one school of thought
there’s clearly one school of thought the same let let everything rip and
the same let let everything rip and
the same let let everything rip and let’s deregulate and another school of
let’s deregulate and another school of
let’s deregulate and another school of thought
thought
thought also with brexit is Hussein we must
also with brexit is Hussein we must
also with brexit is Hussein we must maintain regulatory standards but
maintain regulatory standards but
maintain regulatory standards but there’s a worry there
there’s a worry there
there’s a worry there and of course you have to think
and of course you have to think
and of course you have to think nationally you have to think globally
nationally you have to think globally
nationally you have to think globally we’ve also seen some other reports that
we’ve also seen some other reports that
we’ve also seen some other reports that have looked at problems with possible
have looked at problems with possible
have looked at problems with possible contamination from other activities
contamination from other activities
contamination from other activities again I won’t go into detail there but
again I won’t go into detail there but
again I won’t go into detail there but it’s saying it’s a significant
it’s saying it’s a significant
it’s saying it’s a significant difficulty and in the US where they’re
difficulty and in the US where they’re
difficulty and in the US where they’re meant to have everything cracked they’ve
meant to have everything cracked they’ve
meant to have everything cracked they’ve done all the research they still can’t
done all the research they still can’t
done all the research they still can’t answer these problems nor do I want to
answer these problems nor do I want to
answer these problems nor do I want to go into detail on the literature but
go into detail on the literature but
go into detail on the literature but there is a lot of literature there what
there is a lot of literature there what
there is a lot of literature there what we know are that there are significant
we know are that there are significant
we know are that there are significant neurological associations with fracking
neurological associations with fracking
neurological associations with fracking we also know that in fact there are
we also know that in fact there are
we also know that in fact there are problems linked to reproduction from a
problems linked to reproduction from a
problems linked to reproduction from a number of studies we also know that
number of studies we also know that
number of studies we also know that general health with regard to coal bed
general health with regard to coal bed
general health with regard to coal bed methane has been affected in terms of
methane has been affected in terms of
methane has been affected in terms of Australian studies there are roots that
Australian studies there are roots that
Australian studies there are roots that have looked at skin contamination for
have looked at skin contamination for
have looked at skin contamination for workers there are roots that have looked
workers there are roots that have looked
workers there are roots that have looked at benzene exposure for communities with
at benzene exposure for communities with
at benzene exposure for communities with significantly high levels in areas where
significantly high levels in areas where
significantly high levels in areas where fracking goes on and there are also
fracking goes on and there are also
fracking goes on and there are also reports now about neurodevelopmental
reports now about neurodevelopmental
reports now about neurodevelopmental problems based on a review of the
problems based on a review of the
problems based on a review of the literature about the chemicals that are
literature about the chemicals that are
literature about the chemicals that are used in in the industry and bear in mind
used in in the industry and bear in mind
used in in the industry and bear in mind we are talking in some instances with
we are talking in some instances with
we are talking in some instances with endocrine disruptors that could be used
endocrine disruptors that could be used
endocrine disruptors that could be used in fracking not of parts per million not
in fracking not of parts per million not
in fracking not of parts per million not of parts per billion but parts per
of parts per billion but parts per
of parts per billion but parts per trillion so this argument that overdoses
trillion so this argument that overdoses
trillion so this argument that overdoses the exposures are very low is irrelevant
the exposures are very low is irrelevant
the exposures are very low is irrelevant what doses effective very low doses
what doses effective very low doses
what doses effective very low doses could affect you here’s a study on
could affect you here’s a study on
could affect you here’s a study on childhood leukemia where they looked at
childhood leukemia where they looked at
childhood leukemia where they looked at over a hundred hundred and forty
over a hundred hundred and forty
over a hundred hundred and forty chemicals and looked at whether there
chemicals and looked at whether there
chemicals and looked at whether there were links or not with with leukemia
were links or not with with leukemia
were links or not with with leukemia from air exposure and water exposure and
from air exposure and water exposure and
from air exposure and water exposure and lo and behold they found there was a
lo and behold they found there was a
lo and behold they found there was a lack of data on a whole set of these
lack of data on a whole set of these
lack of data on a whole set of these chemicals so we don’t know what the
chemicals so we don’t know what the
chemicals so we don’t know what the effect could be but there was a lot of
effect could be but there was a lot of
effect could be but there was a lot of data indicating significant problems so
data indicating significant problems so
data indicating significant problems so we should be very aware of that I
we should be very aware of that I
we should be very aware of that I mentioned at the beginning the global
mentioned at the beginning the global
mentioned at the beginning the global issue and
issue and
issue and national issue so even if fracking
national issue so even if fracking
national issue so even if fracking doesn’t go on in Scotland if it’s going
doesn’t go on in Scotland if it’s going
doesn’t go on in Scotland if it’s going on elsewhere what are the implications
on elsewhere what are the implications
on elsewhere what are the implications well we know it may not be the worst
well we know it may not be the worst
well we know it may not be the worst contributor but it’s certainly a
contributor but it’s certainly a
contributor but it’s certainly a significant contributor to problems in
significant contributor to problems in
significant contributor to problems in terms of of climate change and that will
terms of of climate change and that will
terms of of climate change and that will mean not only more zoonotic diseases
mean not only more zoonotic diseases
mean not only more zoonotic diseases it will mean not only rises in in sea
it will mean not only rises in in sea
it will mean not only rises in in sea levels but it will also have these other
levels but it will also have these other
levels but it will also have these other impacts on public health so if there are
impacts on public health so if there are
impacts on public health so if there are problems in terms of access to water
problems in terms of access to water
problems in terms of access to water access to food in fact it may be a
access to food in fact it may be a
access to food in fact it may be a factor in contributing to significant
factor in contributing to significant
factor in contributing to significant global conflicts and we shouldn’t forget
global conflicts and we shouldn’t forget
global conflicts and we shouldn’t forget that so we need to join the dots up we
that so we need to join the dots up we
that so we need to join the dots up we can’t deal with things separately you
can’t deal with things separately you
can’t deal with things separately you know we are in the Anthropocene age
know we are in the Anthropocene age
know we are in the Anthropocene age where that we need to check what’s going
where that we need to check what’s going
where that we need to check what’s going on so is it a picture of gloom and
on so is it a picture of gloom and
on so is it a picture of gloom and despondency well I don’t think it is
despondency well I don’t think it is
despondency well I don’t think it is certainly not in the Scottish setting
certainly not in the Scottish setting
certainly not in the Scottish setting where there were concerns about
where there were concerns about
where there were concerns about environmental justice there have been
environmental justice there have been
environmental justice there have been concerns about whether or not there’s a
concerns about whether or not there’s a
concerns about whether or not there’s a social licence to Frank and I think the
social licence to Frank and I think the
social licence to Frank and I think the argument now is for a lot of people well
argument now is for a lot of people well
argument now is for a lot of people well we have sufficient evidence from the
we have sufficient evidence from the
we have sufficient evidence from the science we have sufficient questions
science we have sufficient questions
science we have sufficient questions about the problems with the industry
about the problems with the industry
about the problems with the industry performing as it should
performing as it should
performing as it should problems with planning creep and
problems with planning creep and
problems with planning creep and breaches of planning problems with
breaches of planning problems with
breaches of planning problems with regulators been able to check on what’s
regulators been able to check on what’s
regulators been able to check on what’s going on
going on
going on to lead us to a very different approach
to lead us to a very different approach
to lead us to a very different approach and I don’t think there’s anything new
and I don’t think there’s anything new
and I don’t think there’s anything new to say if you look at what the World
to say if you look at what the World
to say if you look at what the World Health Organization was talking about 25
Health Organization was talking about 25
Health Organization was talking about 25 years ago that’s still highly relevant
years ago that’s still highly relevant
years ago that’s still highly relevant if we could bring some of those
if we could bring some of those
if we could bring some of those principles back in and if people were
principles back in and if people were
principles back in and if people were aware that they should expect certain
aware that they should expect certain
aware that they should expect certain things in terms of information about
things in terms of information about
things in terms of information about what goes on and in terms of risks and
what goes on and in terms of risks and
what goes on and in terms of risks and openness about the gaps with regard to
openness about the gaps with regard to
openness about the gaps with regard to risk assessments things would be better
risk assessments things would be better
risk assessments things would be better so here you’ll see every individual in
so here you’ll see every individual in
so here you’ll see every individual in that charter is entitled to information
that charter is entitled to information
that charter is entitled to information and
and
and consultation on the state of the
consultation on the state of the
consultation on the state of the environment and involvement in plans and
environment and involvement in plans and
environment and involvement in plans and decisions well what we’ve seen in
decisions well what we’ve seen in
decisions well what we’ve seen in England is local communities being
England is local communities being
England is local communities being consulted and then basically they’ve
consulted and then basically they’ve
consulted and then basically they’ve been totally ignored what we’ve seen in
been totally ignored what we’ve seen in
been totally ignored what we’ve seen in the u.s. is the same thing and the
the u.s. is the same thing and the
the u.s. is the same thing and the mechanisms that exist for consulting
mechanisms that exist for consulting
mechanisms that exist for consulting communities about public health and
communities about public health and
communities about public health and other problems have been very poor in
other problems have been very poor in
other problems have been very poor in health impact assessments done in
health impact assessments done in
health impact assessments done in Scotland often they’ve just spoken to a
Scotland often they’ve just spoken to a
Scotland often they’ve just spoken to a couple of focus groups and said well
couple of focus groups and said well
couple of focus groups and said well this is telling us you know how
this is telling us you know how
this is telling us you know how communities feel how they understand the
communities feel how they understand the
communities feel how they understand the hazards the the other principles there
hazards the the other principles there
hazards the the other principles there relate to public policy and again it’s
relate to public policy and again it’s
relate to public policy and again it’s almost saying how do we prioritize what
almost saying how do we prioritize what
almost saying how do we prioritize what we do in the world and the health of the
we do in the world and the health of the
we do in the world and the health of the individual in the w-h-o charter it needs
individual in the w-h-o charter it needs
individual in the w-h-o charter it needs to be paramount as far as their concern
to be paramount as far as their concern
to be paramount as far as their concern and particularly vulnerable groups so
and particularly vulnerable groups so
and particularly vulnerable groups so that means pregnant women you know it
that means pregnant women you know it
that means pregnant women you know it means they’re very young and I’m playing
means they’re very young and I’m playing
means they’re very young and I’m playing increasing attention to this one myself
increasing attention to this one myself
increasing attention to this one myself it means the older person and people who
it means the older person and people who
it means the older person and people who are ill there are a whole set of people
are ill there are a whole set of people
are ill there are a whole set of people who may be adversely affected when
who may be adversely affected when
who may be adversely affected when possibly or other parts of the
possibly or other parts of the
possibly or other parts of the population won’t be so that needs to be
population won’t be so that needs to be
population won’t be so that needs to be built in more strongly particularly if
built in more strongly particularly if
built in more strongly particularly if we’re talking about extremely low level
we’re talking about extremely low level
we’re talking about extremely low level exposures the next point that the
exposures the next point that the
exposures the next point that the Charter made was new technologies should
Charter made was new technologies should
Charter made was new technologies should be introduced with prudence this is the
be introduced with prudence this is the
be introduced with prudence this is the precautionary principle coming in and
precautionary principle coming in and
precautionary principle coming in and appropriate Trier assessment and in
appropriate Trier assessment and in
appropriate Trier assessment and in Scotland in in Northern Ireland to some
Scotland in in Northern Ireland to some
Scotland in in Northern Ireland to some extent in Wales in New York in France in
extent in Wales in New York in France in
extent in Wales in New York in France in parts of Germany they’ve decided that it
parts of Germany they’ve decided that it
parts of Germany they’ve decided that it is prudent not to go ahead with the
is prudent not to go ahead with the
is prudent not to go ahead with the technology on the basis of the evidence
technology on the basis of the evidence
technology on the basis of the evidence that we’ve got the health of the
that we’ve got the health of the
that we’ve got the health of the individual and communities should take
individual and communities should take
individual and communities should take precedence clear precedence over economy
precedence clear precedence over economy
precedence clear precedence over economy and trade considerations well I’m a
and trade considerations well I’m a
and trade considerations well I’m a pragmatist I’d settle for it Beach the
pragmatist I’d settle for it Beach the
pragmatist I’d settle for it Beach the health of individuals being treated
health of individuals being treated
health of individuals being treated equally with trade and the economy but
equally with trade and the economy but
equally with trade and the economy but it isn’t again out with Scotland I think
it isn’t again out with Scotland I think
it isn’t again out with Scotland I think those sorts of priorities are pushed
those sorts of priorities are pushed
those sorts of priorities are pushed right down
right down
right down and there are other drivers and of
and there are other drivers and of
and there are other drivers and of course bear in mind that what happens
course bear in mind that what happens
course bear in mind that what happens with the developments of fracking is
with the developments of fracking is
with the developments of fracking is that the cost the adverse costs don’t
that the cost the adverse costs don’t
that the cost the adverse costs don’t disappear they put on communities we pay
disappear they put on communities we pay
disappear they put on communities we pay for the cost of people becoming ill
for the cost of people becoming ill
for the cost of people becoming ill becoming stressed and so on very often
becoming stressed and so on very often
becoming stressed and so on very often not not the industry and the final point
not not the industry and the final point
not not the industry and the final point is that with regard to what’s the best
is that with regard to what’s the best
is that with regard to what’s the best approach then we’re talking about low
approach then we’re talking about low
approach then we’re talking about low impact technology and products so we
impact technology and products so we
impact technology and products so we know it’s Scotland you know we can look
know it’s Scotland you know we can look
know it’s Scotland you know we can look at wind wave power we can look at tidal
at wind wave power we can look at tidal
at wind wave power we can look at tidal power we can look in other countries as
power we can look in other countries as
power we can look in other countries as solar energy and so on and we have risk
solar energy and so on and we have risk
solar energy and so on and we have risk assessments we have public assessment
assessments we have public assessment
assessments we have public assessment public health assessments of those
public health assessments of those
public health assessments of those activities and they’re much better than
activities and they’re much better than
activities and they’re much better than fracking so I think the line has always
fracking so I think the line has always
fracking so I think the line has always been from a number of cautious
been from a number of cautious
been from a number of cautious scientists if in doubt don’t and I think
scientists if in doubt don’t and I think
scientists if in doubt don’t and I think the evidence is there that we shouldn’t
the evidence is there that we shouldn’t
the evidence is there that we shouldn’t for individuals for nations and globally
for individuals for nations and globally
for individuals for nations and globally thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment