KNOWN carcinogenic chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing for shale gas (fracking) could lead to an epidemic of cancer in the Karoo, says Cancer Association of SA (Cansa) acting head of research Carl Albrecht.
On Wednesday, Cansa hosted a seminar about the possible negative effects of fracking on people’s health, should it go ahead in the ecologically sensitive Karoo basin.
"The use of known carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde … have both been classified as Group1 carcinogens in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer," Dr Albrecht said.
Fracking has become an important issue as SA struggles to find fast solutions for its energy problems.
Three companies have applied for exploration licences in the Karoo basin — namely Shell SA, Falcon Oil & Gas and Bundu Gas & Oil.
The Department of Mineral Resources has granted the companies permission to explore using nondrilling techniques until regulations for fracking are finalised.
The Department of Environmental Affairs published a draft version of the regulations in 2013.
A final version was due to be published this month. But it is unclear whether this will happen as President Jacob Zuma has referred the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act Amendment Bill back to Parliament for further consideration.
Parliament passed the bill just after the May 7 elections last year.
Dr Albrecht said the effect of fracking on human health was the one critical area that was missing from the draft regulations.
Treasure the Karoo Action Group head Jonathan Deal said it was proved during the Soekor (Southern Oil Exploration Corporation) exploration of the Karoo in the 1970s that water pollution from drilling could travel as far as 32km as all the underground aquifers were connected.
In fracking a drill is bored through the earth and the underground water supply to the rock that has micro fissures, or cracks, where the gas is found. A combination of small explosive charges and a cocktail of chemicals is pumped to keep the fissures open to ensure the gas is released.
"The problem is that those chemicals do leak into the water supply and effectively poison it. The chemicals used are carcinogenic," Dr Albrecht said.
SA had a three-year window to do proper water baseline tests to determine the quality of the water before fracking started, he said. "Effectively we are looking at the possibility of a cancer epidemic erupting in the Karoo."
The problem with determining the baseline was the cost, up to R30,000 a test, "and who would pay for it, and who would own the information", Dr Albrecht said. "The tests are expensive as they have to be done according to rigorous scientific and legal methods as they would have to stand up in court."
Stellenbosch University vice-rector for research and innovation Eugene Cloete said his university had been approached by Shell SA to conduct research on water quality in the Karoo. "Unfortunately we had to turn them down as irrespective of the findings we made, the mere fact that the research was funded by Shell SA would have discredited it. So we have to find another solution."
Dr Albrecht said farmers would probably have to foot the bill as they stood to lose the most if their water supplies are polluted by fracking.
"Farmers no longer own what is under the ground as government does. Government will sign the contracts with the oil companies and farmers will have no choice but to allow fracking to happen on their land, but will suffer the consequences," he said.
Possible fracking in the Karoo has caused concern for a number of reasons and has been the subject of protests. Picture: THE TIMES/ SHELLEY CHRISTIANS
KNOWN carcinogenic chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing for shale gas (fracking) could lead to an epidemic of cancer in the Karoo, says Cancer Association of SA (Cansa) acting head of research Carl Albrecht.
On Wednesday, Cansa hosted a seminar about the possible negative effects of fracking on people’s health, should it go ahead in the ecologically sensitive Karoo basin.
"The use of known carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde … have both been classified as Group1 carcinogens in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer," Dr Albrecht said.
Fracking has become an important issue as SA struggles to find fast solutions for its energy problems.
Three companies have applied for exploration licences in the Karoo basin — namely Shell SA, Falcon Oil & Gas and Bundu Gas & Oil.
The Department of Mineral Resources has granted the companies permission to explore using nondrilling techniques until regulations for fracking are finalised.
The Department of Environmental Affairs published a draft version of the regulations in 2013.
A final version was due to be published this month. But it is unclear whether this will happen as President Jacob Zuma has referred the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act Amendment Bill back to Parliament for further consideration.
Parliament passed the bill just after the May 7 elections last year.
Dr Albrecht said the effect of fracking on human health was the one critical area that was missing from the draft regulations.
Treasure the Karoo Action Group head Jonathan Deal said it was proved during the Soekor (Southern Oil Exploration Corporation) exploration of the Karoo in the 1970s that water pollution from drilling could travel as far as 32km as all the underground aquifers were connected.
In fracking a drill is bored through the earth and the underground water supply to the rock that has micro fissures, or cracks, where the gas is found. A combination of small explosive charges and a cocktail of chemicals is pumped to keep the fissures open to ensure the gas is released.
"The problem is that those chemicals do leak into the water supply and effectively poison it. The chemicals used are carcinogenic," Dr Albrecht said.
SA had a three-year window to do proper water baseline tests to determine the quality of the water before fracking started, he said. "Effectively we are looking at the possibility of a cancer epidemic erupting in the Karoo."
The problem with determining the baseline was the cost, up to R30,000 a test, "and who would pay for it, and who would own the information", Dr Albrecht said. "The tests are expensive as they have to be done according to rigorous scientific and legal methods as they would have to stand up in court."
Stellenbosch University vice-rector for research and innovation Eugene Cloete said his university had been approached by Shell SA to conduct research on water quality in the Karoo. "Unfortunately we had to turn them down as irrespective of the findings we made, the mere fact that the research was funded by Shell SA would have discredited it. So we have to find another solution."
Dr Albrecht said farmers would probably have to foot the bill as they stood to lose the most if their water supplies are polluted by fracking.
"Farmers no longer own what is under the ground as government does. Government will sign the contracts with the oil companies and farmers will have no choice but to allow fracking to happen on their land, but will suffer the consequences," he said.
Post a comment