Fracking firm was barred from using chemical, Balcombe meeting told
The UK's fracking pioneer Cuadrilla was prevented by the Environment Agency from using a hazardous chemical at its drilling site in Sussex, local residents have been told. But permission was granted for another chemical despite concerns over its safety.
Chris Wick, of the Environment Agency, told a packed meeting of residents in Balcombe's church on Wednesday night that "we stopped Cuadrilla using one or two things". The chemical that was banned was antimony trioxide.
The Environment Agency told the Guardian: "Companies wishing to inject fluid containing pollutants into the ground may need a permit from the Environment Agency. Permits are issued on a site-by-site basis, considering the proximity to groundwater.
"As part of this process Cuadrilla submitted a list of chemicals to the Environment Agency for assessment and were advised that they would not be allowed to use antimony trioxide, as it would be hazardous if it came into contact with groundwater."
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/10/fracking-chemical-balcombe-meeting
I wouldn't have thought there were many , if any , areas in the UK which did not have proximity to groundwater.
