If it's not one thing.....

It seems lately if it's not one thing it's another. And it seems to be the Agricultural Sector copping it every time.
We've seen damage and tremendous impact from the Live Export debacle and now we see a renewed threat from the State's burgeoning Coal Seam Gas Industry. It's interesting to see the State Premier touting these activities as a tremendous boom for the state's economy and don't get me wrong they will be, but at what cost and for how long?
Today sees another report describing the finding of carcinogenic compounds in test wells close to a CSG operation. It will be interesting to see what the findings of this inquiry into the operations reveals. The compounds found have been described as potentially naturally occurring as well as being present in a range of oil products.

BTEX can be naturally occurring but are also found in a range of oil-based products.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Click Here for Story)

One thing that bugs me is that if something as naturally occurring then surely it would occur in earlier test samples taken from monitoring sights? It is interesting to see that these toxins have only been found at this time which leads me to assume that they have been introduced somehow if there is no evidence to suggest they were not initially present.
After being in an area that was heavily impacted by the Cougar Energy debacle I would have thought that the State and the powers that be would effect tougher restrictions and implement stronger regulations for operations.

What also concerns me is the frequency at which these tests are carried out.

Taken over three days at Arrow's Queensland operations as part of routine six-monthly testing, the samples showed low readings of the so-called BTEX chemicals, which can harm the central nervous system and cause cancer.
Source: The West Australian (Click Here for Story)

The report from the West Australian states that these tests occur six-monthly. Now as someone who has studied a very basic level of University Level Science I have learnt about the scientific method and employing tests, and to me testing a well site on a six monthly basis would not provide sufficient evidence to chart progression of data.

Now to the operating company's credit they have released this information immediately and reportedly began contacting affected landowners.

So whilst it seems that these industries are going to be great for our states economy I question the cost it will have in the long run. After seeing what happened at the Cougar Energy project and the ramifications it has as a follow on for producers I can say that any short term economic benefit is going to be far outweighed by any possible side affects these operations are causing. And is beneficial to pursue a short term goal at the long term detriment to the local Agricultural production industries
It will be interesting to see what happens as this story further progresses and I know that I will certainly be watching it with great interest.