2017
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The deeper groundwater hazard screening research found that chemicals remaining underground after hydraulic fracturing are unlikely to reach people or groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems in concentrations that would cause concern. Risks are therefore likely to be very low. Risks from naturally-occurring chemicals in the coal seam mobilised by hydraulic fracturing are likely to be very low for the same reasons. Note that strict regulatory controls apply to the handling and use of chemicals in coal seam gas extraction.
This research complements the National assessment of chemicals associated with coal seam gas extraction, which focussed on risks to human health and the environment from surface handling of chemicals used in coal seam gas extraction.
The research developed methods that can be used on a project-by-project basis to assess risks to human health and the environment from chemicals remaining deep underground as a result of hydraulic fracturing in coal seam gas operations. It did not assess the risks associated with any existing or proposed coal seam gas project.