1. Health & High Volume Hydraulic Fracking Dr Carroll O’Dolan

2. Fermanagh Fracking Awareness Network [FFAN] is a cross-community network of individual Fermanagh residents. FFAN is not affiliated to any political party or other organisation, but works with a broad range of groups and individuals who are concerned about the risks associated with High Volume Hydraulic Fracking [HVHF].

3. HVHF versus Traditional

6. HVHF is a new Industry & thus the ‘traditional fracking’ reassurances are null & void. Research slow to get funding but now large increase in number of reports/studies since 2013. Growing evidence of negative impacts of HVHF on Health.

9. The ‘Boomtown effect’; includes increased levels alcohol abuse, illegal drug use and sexually transmitted diseases. Most people experience the down side of HVHF with only a few benefiting from HVHF. MVC [motor vehicle collision] rate increase by 50% since HVHF has arrived, especially rural areas.

12. British Medical Journal ‘The correct conclusion that Public Health England should have drawn is that the public health impacts remain undetermined and that more environmental and public health studies are needed.’ ‘As investigations of shale gas extraction in the US have continually suggested, assurances of safety are no proxy for adequate protection.’

14. Infant mortality rose six times above the normal background rate over three years since the advent of HVHF at Uintah, Utah. Increased risk of congenital heart defects associated with living within ten miles of gas wells. Decreased birth weight and increased premature birth rate [both predictors of increased risk of life long ill health] associated with women living closer to fracking sites, cause; air pollution. The Colorado School of Public Health shows an increased risk of ill health, both cancer & non-cancer, of people living near frack pads.

15. Dangerous levels of benzene in air around fracking sites; Health Official states ‘The concerns of the Public are validated’. 281% increase in Volatile Organic Compounds [VOCs are known carcinogens and neurological disruptors] predicted at HVHF area of Eaglesford, Texas. Research estimates total annual VOC emissions at fracking sites are equivalent to 100 million cars [USA currently has 150M cars on its roads]. American Lung Association states air quality in rural areas close to fracking sites now worse than air quality in urban areas.

16. Flowback water contain varying amounts of: Benzene [causes leukaemia, cancer and spina bifida]. Mercury [brain and kidney damage]. Arsenic [cancers]. Ethyl benzenes [respiratory disease, fatigue & headaches]. Toluene [birth defects & central nervous system damage]. VOCs {Volatile organic compounds} [disrupts our endocrine system causing, lung, gut and reproductive disease].

17. Investigative Journalists uncover at least 161 cases of water contamination from fracking between 2008-2012 in Pennsylvania. Colorado State data reveals more than 350 instances of groundwater contamination resulting from more than 2,000 spills from oil & gas operators over five years. Methane is at least 2,300% [& up to 3,300%] more potent as greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Methane leakage seriously worsens climate change. The Medical science community now has very strong evidence that climate change has a serious negative impact on public health.

18. University of Missouri team tested chemicals used in one frack area. Of the 24 fracking chemicals tested, all 24 interfered with one or more hormone receptors in humans. There is no safe level of exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals. Albany University lead researcher states ‘Cancer has a long latency, so you’re not seeing an elevation in cancer in these communities [yet]. But in five, 10, 15 years from now, elevation in cancer is almost certain to happen’.

20. Dr Zucker: Acting Commissioner of Health. At HVHF Public Health Review publication. New York State Dec 2014. “I asked myself, ‘Would I let my family live in a community with fracking?’ The answer is no. I therefore cannot recommend anyone else’s family to live in such a community either.”