Formate Brines Environmental Assessment, Metoc plc
In 2003, the independent environmental consultancy Metoc plc completed a comprehensive life cycle assessment on formate brines and concluded that “the discharge of moderate amounts of formate brines is not likely to lead to potentially significant negative impacts on the marine environment”.

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Cs and Zn – comparative hazard assessment and HSE profiles: version 2
This work presents a comparative overview of the physico-chemical and biological properties of cesium formate and zinc bromide, the prime constituents of the two high-density brines available to the oil industry. The properties are then related to the level of chemical health, safety and environmental hazard caused by these products. The data presented supports HSE risk profiling of these chemicals for offshore oilfield use. This second version was updated in January 2009.

Australian National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
This is a comprehensive assessment of cesium formate when introduced to the Australian market in 2001. It covers areas such as occupational, public and environmental exposure, toxicological data and the effects of cesium formate on the environment.

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Brine safety – it’s a burning issue (Article from Formate Matters 1)
Mention the word ‘brine’ to the ordinary man or woman in the street and they will probably think of a benign salty solution used to preserve some of their favourite pickled foods. Mention the same word to someone working in the oil industry and they will probably think first of the ever-present risk of chemical burns and the need for full-body protection suits. 

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SPE paper 94477: High-Resolution Environmental Survey Around an Exploration Well Drilled With Formate Brine in the Barents Sea, Norway
ENI Norge conducted an environmental survey in the vicinity of an exploration well drilled in the Barents Sea with formate brine. ENI concluded: "The survey demonstrates that the environmental impact caused by the discharge of formate brine from a single well is minimal three years after the operation".

SPE paper 110891: Formate Fluids and Environmental Regulations: A Global View of Benefits and Challenges