Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The U.K.'s "Dash for Gas".

Andrew Watterson1, William Dinan1

  • 11 University of Stirling, UK.

New Solutions : a Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy : NS
|April 12, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Public health regulation for unconventional gas extraction (fracking) requires a precautionary approach. Evidence suggests potential dangers, while claims of safe fracking lack robust supporting data.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Continuity or Change: Occupational Health Policies of Key Organizations in Great Britain After the Major COVID Waves 2020-2022.

New solutions : a journal of environmental and occupational health policy : NS·2025
Same author

Artificial turf, crumb rubber infills and linked public health, sustainability and environmental concerns.

British journal of sports medicine·2025
Same author

A call from 40 public health scientists for an end to the continuing humanitarian and environmental catastrophe in Gaza.

Environmental health : a global access science source·2024
Same author

What we did not learn at the covid inquiry in Scotland: a gap analysis.

BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2024
Same author

The European Union Ban on Microplastics Includes Artificial Turf Crumb Rubber Infill: Other Nations Should Follow Suit.

Environmental science & technology·2024
Same author

Professionals must refuse to work on new fossil fuel projects.

BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2023

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Public Policy
  • Energy Sector Regulation

Background:

  • Unconventional gas extraction, commonly known as fracking, presents complex challenges for public health and environmental regulation.
  • Assessing the existing evidence base is crucial for informing regulatory strategies and public health protection measures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a rapid evidence assessment of public health regulations concerning the fracking industry.
  • To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing case studies and regulatory assessments.

Main Methods:

  • A rapid evidence assessment methodology was employed, analyzing fifteen international case studies.
  • Included a diverse range of sources: scientific papers, government reports, industry-funded publications, and NGO reports.
  • Case study reviews focused on their relevance to public health and regulatory effectiveness.

Main Results:

  • Evidence highlighted both inherent short-, medium-, and long-term public health risks associated with fracking, including climate change impacts.
  • Claims of safe fracking practices were often based on sparse evidence, lacking robust scientific backing.
  • Evaluated U.K. regulators' assessments, noting limitations in the evidence base for safety assertions.

Conclusions:

  • The current body of evidence strongly supports the necessity of a precautionary principle in regulating unconventional gas extraction.
  • Protecting public health necessitates a cautious approach due to identified and potential risks.
  • Further research is needed to strengthen the evidence base for safe fracking operations and effective regulation.
Keywords:
frackingprecautionpublic healthrapid evidence assessmentregulation

Related Experiment Videos