Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Monday, 30 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 December 2009. It was answered by Dan Norris (Labour) on Monday, 7 December 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Waste Disposal: Hazardous Substances

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many waste treatment sites treat toxic waste; at what distance from the nearest residential building each such site is located; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: There are 224 sites that treat hazardous waste. I have arranged for a list of these sites to be placed in the Library of the House.The centrally available distance data in this list are derived from the system that the Environment Agency uses as part of the risk assessment it carries out before authorising permits for sites. The permitting system is intended to ensure that the waste operations it authorises are carried out in a way that protects human health and the environment. The distances are not limited to residential buildings and cover a far wider range of potential receptors such as commercial and industrial premises, playing fields and parks as well as housing.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 502 c19W; 303829
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2009-3026
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Hazardous substances Waste disposal
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk