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<p>In England, for the purposes of the Water Framework Directive and Groundwater Directive,
the Environment Agency has the responsibility for making determinations of substances
that may be hazardous in groundwater. It will not permit the use of ‘hazardous substances’
for any activity, including hydraulic fracturing, where they would or might enter
groundwater and cause pollution.</p><p>Hazardous substances are defined as those that
are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, or, for the Directives, where there are
‘equivalent levels of concern’. The Joint Agencies Groundwater Directive Advisory
Group (JAGDAG) carries out peer reviews of these determinations, before recommendations
are then put to public consultation. Substances that were proposed for use for hydraulic
fracturing of shales in Lancashire have been assessed and were determined as non-hazardous.
These were consulted on in 2012 following peer review by JAGDAG.</p><p>Information
about JAGDAG, including minutes of meetings, can be found at: <a href="http://www.wfduk.org/stakeholders/jagdag-work-area-0"
target="_blank">http://www.wfduk.org/stakeholders/jagdag-work-area-0</a></p><p> </p><p>
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