Action group's questions answered
Following the residents meeting of Thursday 22 January, on concerns on air quality in Chuckery, the Chuckery Action Group submitted a number of questions to the council. Below are the questions and the council's reply.
Q. When was the monitoring equipment positioned on school turned off?
A. The equipment was switched off in August 2003
Q. Why was the monitoring equipment positioned on school turned off?
A. The monitoring equipment was turned off because the Headteacher of the school requested it and the council acted on this request. The school felt that the noise produced by the equipment disturbed classes and therefore disturbing children's learning. The equipment was removed and was prepared for installation in on a resident's property in January.
Q. Where are the results prior to the equipment being turned off?
A. These are held by the pollution control team at the council.
Q. Was there a preferred site for the monitoring equipment to be located and if not why?
A. The equipment was located having specific regard to: 1) security; 2) sensitive receptors; 3) a suitable power supply; 4) lack of overhead interference from buildings effects and trees. There are preferred sites for the monitoring equipment and as the school cannot be used we are currently requesting volunteers.
Q. Is there any ongoing monitoring by the environmental officer being carried out?
A. The Chamberlin & Hill iron foundry is inspected at a minimum of twice per year as part of the pollution control team's routine work. In addition, inspection visits are made where necessary in response to complaints or concerns, and to requests on the company's behalf. The company conducts routine monitoring as part of the requirements of their authorisation issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Q. Do Chamberlin & Hill carry out any in-house monitoring of emissions/general house keeping/health and safety? If so who is responsible for policing same and is there documentation to substantiate this?
A. As part of their authorisation, the company undertake yearly emission testing which is carried out by an independent consultancy, and certain items of plant are fitted with continuous monitoring equipment which is re-calibrated when the emission testing results become available.
Results from the yearly testing are submitted to the council and data from continuous monitoring equipment is forwarded monthly. We are, as part of our Action Plan, discussing with Chamberlin & Hill if this information can be published in the public domain.
Q. Have Chamberlain & Hill got a clean bill of health relating to in-house health and safety? Is there any documentation to substantiate this?
A. Enforcement of Health and Safety at Work matters at this company falls within the jurisdiction of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE); the council has no responsibilities in this respect and you are requested please to address all inquiries directly to the HSE.
We have information which suggests the foundry has recently been inspected, however the HSE do not disclose details of their findings to the council. If, however, there were serious concerns we would expect the HSE to contact the council.
Q. Local residents quality of life is being, and has been for at least the last 20 years, been affected by the smells and airborne substances that are being emitted from C & H, what is the local Environmental Officer prepared to do about this?
A. The effects on the health of local residents have been researched and the director of public health is of the opinion that the health of people in the Chuckery area is not adversely affected. The council's pollution control staff have regulated the foundry in respect to air pollution, and there have been very significant works carried out by Chamberlin & Hill which have improved air quality in the Chuckery area.
Presently Chamberlin & Hill is seeking a permit under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999, which when issued will impose stricter emission control limits in regard to air pollutants compared with those in their Authorisation granted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Emission control limits reflect national guidance for industry sectors prepared on behalf of the Secretary of State.
The council has a rolling programme of Air Quality Review and Assessment Work for the borough, which towards the end of last year identified the area surrounding Chamberlin and Hill as warranting more detailed assessment. This has been scheduled for 2004.
Q. Independent test results obtained from samples taken from the surrounding area of Chamberlain & Hill indicate the presence of toxic and potentially harmful substances. Is the local Environmental Health Officer prepared to guarantee that these deposits have not previously, and will note in the future, present a risk to residents' health?
A. The independent report test results have been passed to the director of public health. We believe this question is best addressed with a considered and objective response based on all the available scientific evidence. We are expecting a detailed response within a week.
Q. During the summer months Chamberlain & Hill operate with the foundry doors open and therefore the problem escalates from one of nuisance air pollution to one of air and noise pollution.
A. The council became aware of the main foundry doors being left open. This was raised immediately with the company who have reinforced instructions to staff to ensure doors are kept closed. In addition, the company have installed rapid acting automatic roller doors in this part of the foundry. The nature of activities at the foundry requires the doors to be open from time to time during the working day but the new doors will minimise the time they are open for.
Q. The latest building regulations specify specific ventilation rates for new external windows installation, hence the introduction of window trickle vents. Residents are unable to utilise these trickle vents let alone open windows for the fear of the black airborne dust entering there properties. Air bricks installed on properties for gas fire/central heating systems ventilation can not be blocked off, therefore the ingress of the black dust can not be prevented.
A. Tighter regulatory controls are to be imposed under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) regime via a permit that will be issued following consultation with statutory consultees. These controls, together with improvements that the company are to carry out, will reduce the foundry's contribution to dust levels in Chuckery.
We will also be measuring this over the months once the equipment is installed. The air does carry dust and our responsibility with Chamberlin & Hill is to reduce this.
Q. On knowing of the ongoing complaints originating from as early as 1988, how and why was planning permission granted for the residential development of the Crabtree and other new build sites in the area?
A. Planning was granted for the development because the planning application and the plans fully complied with planning law and regulations. That is the power of the local authority on planning.
Q. After continuing complaints over many years, why are we still in the position where we have no satisfactory answers? Is it not the responsibility of the local council and his environmental officer to address the issues raised and do they not have an obligation as public servants to guarantee the well being and the quality of life of their local constituents? If so, when are they going to start?
A. The facts are that the council has been meeting its responsibilities and we believe we can improve on the way we involve local people by first telling them the full facts and how we intend to monitor air quality and publish them so that everyone knows. We intend to work with Chamberlin and Hill to do whatever can be done to enable improvements to be made.
Q. Residents are no longer willing to accept damage to health, quality of life, vehicles and property, compensation is not an issue, it must stop now.
A. The council's primary and most important concern is people's health and that is why we want a report from the director of public health. Air quality is important for all people and we need to work with the whole community to improve this.