Approaches to baseline studies of human health in relation to industries with potential environmental impact: Contribution to the independent review of coal seam gas activities in NSW

Abstract

A number of health concerns have been raised in relation to coal seam gas (CSG) mining in Australia. Very few studies have been conducted to investigate the potential health risks related to CSG industry internationally and in Australia. Health risks may be associated with all stages of CSG extraction (exploration, production and post-production), with possible exposures via water, soil and air pollution. The adverse health outcomes may include respiratory, cardiovascular, genitourinary and digestive diseases, skin problems, some types of cancer, injuries, hormonal disruption, fertility and reproductive effects. Concerns about poorer mental health associated with environmental, economic and social changes in the mining communities have also been raised. We discuss the potential health risks of the various types of exposures during each stage of CSG production. We then review epidemiological study designs aimed at identifying associations between environmental exposures (such as those that may occur during coal seam gas mining activity) and health outcomes, and we discuss the strengths and limitations of each study type. We identify four possible designs – and their key data sources– that could be used to examine potential health risks related to the mining of coal seam gas in New South Wales