---

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many unauthorised emissions, by types and quantities, there have been from the (a) Edmonton and (b) Lewisham incinerators since January 1996; and if he will make a statement. [97449] Mr. Hill: The following tables give a summary of the total number of reported unauthorised emissions by substances for each plant since 1996. Further details can be found on the public register. SELCHP (Lewisham) municipal incinerator _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Substance 1996 1997 1998 1999 Total since 1996 Hydrogen Chloride 27 63 5 3 98 Sulphur Dioxide -- 1 3 -- 4 Particulate 4 2 -- -- 6 Oxides of Nitrogen -- -- 1 1 2 Lime 1 -- -- -- 1 Total No. 32 66 9 4 111 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The Edmonton incinerator _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Substance 1996 1997 1998 1999 Total since 1996 Hydrogen Chloride 2 3 3 4 12 Sulphur Dioxide 1 3 1 -- 5 Carbon Monoxide -- -- -- 3 3 Total No. 3 6 4 7 20 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. For both plants the releases would typically occur over a 2 to 4 hour period within a 24-hour reporting period. The Agency considered all the reported unauthorised emissions from the Lewisham plant and was satisfied that no serious effect to the environment or harm to human health occurred as a result of the breaches. Following the hydrogen chloride breaches in 1996 and 1997 at Lewisham, the operator installed new abatement equipment. This has resulted in a decline in breaches. The Agency has now required the use of a continuous monitor to control emissions from the Edmonton plant and prevent further breaches.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

97449; 337 c603-4W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Air pollution Lewisham Incinerators Pollution Pollution control Edmonton Pollutants

Contains statistics

Yes