Direct route for EA to allay mercury concerns
The Environment Agency (EA) in Wales is bypassing the Castle Cement Padeswood liaison group in favour of sending direct mail to residents living near the Welsh works in a bid to allay fears over high levels of mercury in the air.
A new EA report of a two-year monitoring programme of air quality around the site since the introduction of a new kiln to fire refuse derived fuel (RDF), has showed sharp rises in emissions such as carbon monoxide and chromium.
It also showed a 897% rise in mercury levels, a figure jumped on, and highly publicised, by local councillor and chairman of the Campaign Against the New Kiln (CANK), Arnold Woolley.
However, the report states that air quality around the site is “good” and that the rise in metals and other emissions are within national limits. Even though the percentages are high they still amount to next to nothing,” an EA spokesperson told MQR.
He said: “Even though mercury has risen by over 800% this figure is still only 0.03% of the safe limit. It is nowhere near any dangerous level.” Because it is an emotive subject the EA is going directly to residents, he said.
He continued: “Many people were against the new kiln but the report shows that since it was introduced it has made a big difference to air quality.
“Yes there are still noise and dust issues that need to be dealt with and we are placing pressure on the company to deal with those. But in terms of air the situation is much better, so we felt we needed to go directly to residents in a bid to calm fears,” he said.
It has already sent out one leaflet and is due to send out another in the next couple of weeks.
A new EA report of a two-year monitoring programme of air quality around the site since the introduction of a new kiln to fire refuse derived fuel (RDF), has showed sharp rises in emissions such as carbon monoxide and chromium.
It also showed a 897% rise in mercury levels, a figure jumped on, and highly publicised, by local councillor and chairman of the Campaign Against the New Kiln (CANK), Arnold Woolley.
However, the report states that air quality around the site is “good” and that the rise in metals and other emissions are within national limits. Even though the percentages are high they still amount to next to nothing,” an EA spokesperson told MQR.
He said: “Even though mercury has risen by over 800% this figure is still only 0.03% of the safe limit. It is nowhere near any dangerous level.” Because it is an emotive subject the EA is going directly to residents, he said.
He continued: “Many people were against the new kiln but the report shows that since it was introduced it has made a big difference to air quality.
“Yes there are still noise and dust issues that need to be dealt with and we are placing pressure on the company to deal with those. But in terms of air the situation is much better, so we felt we needed to go directly to residents in a bid to calm fears,” he said.
It has already sent out one leaflet and is due to send out another in the next couple of weeks.
