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To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2018 to Question 193367, what evidence Public Health England has considered on the effects of dioxins released during incineration of municipal waste on human health.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2018 to Question 193367, what evidence Public Health England has considered on the effects of dioxins released during incineration of municipal waste on human health.
Public Health England’s (PHE’s) position is that well run and regulated modern municipal waste incinerators (MWIs) are not a significant risk to public health. This view is based on detailed assessments of the effects of air pollutants on health and the fact that modern and well managed MWIs make only a very small contribution to local concentrations of air pollutants.
This review included consideration of dioxins and explains that the emissions from incinerators should have a negligible impact on the level of dioxin exposure of the surrounding population either from direct inhalation or exposure from locally produced foodstuffs. Therefore the dioxin emissions from incinerators are unlikely to have any appreciable effect on health.
When consulted, PHE provides an expert and independent opinion to the regulator (Environment Agency) on the potential impacts, including from dioxins, on human health of emissions arising from existing or proposed regulated facilities, such as MWIs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the release of dioxins by waste incineration sites on people's health.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the release of dioxins by waste incineration sites on people's health.
The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) has assessed the effects of particulate air pollution on mortality in the United Kingdom. The latest reports are available to be viewed at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/comeap-reports
Public Health England (PHE) estimated the mortality burden in 2010 associated with long-term exposure to human-made particulate air pollution at local authority level. The report is available at the following link:
COMEAP assessed the evidence on long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants (mainly particulate air pollution) and chronic bronchitis and respiratory symptoms. Although no separate assessments of the impact of the PM1 and PM0.1 fractions of particulate air pollution have been produced, PM1 and PM0.1 are included within the PM10 and PM2.5 fractions, on which assessments are usually based.
COMEAP is currently assessing the effects of air pollutants on dementia and cognitive decline. Research projects into the health effects of air pollution in two Health Protection Research Units, in which PHE is a partner, focus on various areas including health impact assessments of nanoparticles. There is also a COMEAP report on the mechanisms by which air pollutants affect cardiovascular health due to be published later this year.
PHE’s position is that well run and regulated modern Municipal Waste Incinerators (MWIs) are not a significant risk to public health. This view is based on detailed assessments of the effects of air pollutants on health and on the fact that modern MWIs make a small contribution to local concentrations of air pollutants.
When consulted, PHE provides an expert and independent opinion to the regulator (Environment Agency) on the potential impacts on human health of emissions arising from existing or proposed regulated facilities, such as MWIs. PHE will comment on the applicants’ risk assessments and how they demonstrate the installation’s impacts on human health, and when requested, any additional modelling and assessments conducted by the Environment Agency for chemicals and radiation including particulate matter and dioxins, providing health advice that is clear, concise and based on best available evidence and expert judgement. This assists the regulator in making decisions on whether or not to grant permits to regulated facilities. Guidance on PHE’s role in environmental permitting is available at the following link:
PHE has reviewed the evidence on the effects of waste incinerators on human health including the effects of dioxin. Further information is available at the following link:
Available studies have not identified a threshold concentration below which there is no association between exposure to particulate air pollution and adverse health effects. The European Union Limit Value for PM2.5 (annual mean of 25 µg/m3) that the UK must comply with is included as an air quality objective in the national Air Quality Strategy available at the following link:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 27 February to Question 129074, which person or body carries out the monitoring to which he refers; and whether the operator of the waste incineration site is told in advance of the proposed...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 27 February to Question 129074, which person or body carries out the monitoring to which he refers; and whether the operator of the waste incineration site is told in advance of the proposed...
The monitoring of dioxins and furans is carried out by independent monitoring contractors. The monitoring contractors must work to the strict standards of the Environment Agency’s Monitoring Certification Scheme. The operator is told in advance of the proposed testing to ensure that the relevant personnel are present on site and that the necessary arrangements are made for access.
The minimisation of dioxin and furan emissions is primarily controlled by the design and set up of the plant, and by ensuring good combustion conditions. As such, there is very little an operator can do to operate the plant differently from normal on the day the monitoring is taking place so as to somehow produce lower emissions than usual. Specific changes in the way the plant is operated on a particular day would also be likely to show up in the results of the continuous emissions monitoring systems for other pollutants.
The Environment Agency is confident that the current arrangement in place for the periodic monitoring of dioxins and furans is fit for purpose.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what procedure is used when waste incinerators are tested for the emission of dioxins and furans.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what procedure is used when waste incinerators are tested for the emission of dioxins and furans.
Emissions of dioxins and furans from waste incinerators are tested according to the method specified in Annex VI of the European Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and the technical requirements of the European monitoring standard (BS EN 1948). This involves passing the exhaust gases from the chimney through a filter and some absorbent material for a period of 6-8 hours. The filter and absorbent material are then analysed in a laboratory where the total amount of dioxins and furans on them is measured, and from this the concentration of dioxins and furans in the exhaust gases is calculated.
Testing is done in this way on a quarterly basis in the first year of the incinerator’s operation and twice a year thereafter (in line with IED requirements). The monitoring contractors and equipment that they use must be approved or certified under the Environment Agency’s Monitoring Certification Scheme to ensure reliable results.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 24 January. The presidency presented its work programme highlighting its priorities as CAP reform, the dairy file, the quality package, and reaching agreement on the...
My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 24 January. The presidency presented its work programme highlighting its priorities as CAP reform, the dairy file, the quality package, and reaching agreement on the...
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has today made the following Statement. My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food (Jim Paice) represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 24 January. The presidency presented its work programme highlighting...
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has today made the following Statement. My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food (Jim Paice) represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 24 January. The presidency presented its work programme highlighting...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most recent scientific advice he has received is on the effects on the health of (a) children, (b) the elderly and (c) pregnant women of exposure to dioxins through the food chain.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most recent scientific advice he has received is on the effects on the health of (a) children, (b) the elderly and (c) pregnant women of exposure to dioxins through the food chain.
On 6 December 2008 the Irish Government announced that levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exceeding the maximum permitted levels had been found in animal feed and pork fat in the Republic of Ireland. Maximum levels for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in meat, fish, eggs, milk and other foods...
On 6 December 2008 the Irish Government announced that levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exceeding the maximum permitted levels had been found in animal feed and pork fat in the Republic of Ireland. Maximum levels for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in meat, fish, eggs, milk and other foods...
My right honourable friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Dawn Primarolo) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. On 6 December 2008 the Irish Government announced that levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exceeding the maximum permitted levels had been found in animal feed and pork fat...
My right honourable friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Dawn Primarolo) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. On 6 December 2008 the Irish Government announced that levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exceeding the maximum permitted levels had been found in animal feed and pork fat...
asked Her Majesty's Government:At what levels and under what circumstances they consider dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls, especially those typed as aroclors 1242, 1248, 1254 and 1260, to be safe.
asked Her Majesty's Government:At what levels and under what circumstances they consider dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls, especially those typed as aroclors 1242, 1248, 1254 and 1260, to be safe.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008, Official Report, columns 753-4W, on Vietnam, what international guidelines apply to concentrations of dioxin; and what the concentrations of dioxins are in those hotspots of serious contamination in Vietnam.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008, Official Report, columns 753-4W, on Vietnam, what international guidelines apply to concentrations of dioxin; and what the concentrations of dioxins are in those hotspots of serious contamination in Vietnam.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008, Official Report, columns 753-4W, on Vietnam: chemical weapons, how many Vietnamese have been identified as victims of Agent Orange (a) inside and (b) outside areas which were sprayed; and what estimate has been...
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008, Official Report, columns 753-4W, on Vietnam: chemical weapons, how many Vietnamese have been identified as victims of Agent Orange (a) inside and (b) outside areas which were sprayed; and what estimate has been...
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have made an assessment of the information circulated by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the United States that plastic containers and plastic wrap such as that used in the production of microwave-ready dinners will, if heated in a microwave, release carcinogenic dioxins into...
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have made an assessment of the information circulated by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the United States that plastic containers and plastic wrap such as that used in the production of microwave-ready dinners will, if heated in a microwave, release carcinogenic dioxins into...
Whether they have assessed the safety of freezing plastic bottles containing drinking water; and whether they have commissioned any research into the possibility of such bottles releasing dioxins into the water when frozen; and
Whether they have assessed the safety of freezing plastic bottles containing drinking water; and whether they have commissioned any research into the possibility of such bottles releasing dioxins into the water when frozen; and
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 9 October (WA 122-3), what are the percentages of the United Kingdom emissions of dioxins and furans from all sources.
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 9 October (WA 122-3), what are the percentages of the United Kingdom emissions of dioxins and furans from all sources.
| UK Emissions of Dioxins and Furans by Source Category (g I-TEQ/year) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sector | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
| Combustion in Energy Production | ||||||||
| Public Electricity and Heat Production | 35 | 35 | 32 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 19 |
| Petroleum refining | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Manufacture of Solid Fuels and Other Energy Industries | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 |
| Combustion in Industry | ||||||||
| Iron and Steel | 44 | 42 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 43 | 44 | 45 |
| Non-ferrous Metals | 40 | 35 | 35 | 37 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 42 |
| Other Industrial Combustion¹ | 79 | 80 | 80 | 77 | 78 | 73 | 72 | 70 |
| Transport Fuel Use | ||||||||
| Road Transport; Passenger cars | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9.8 | 7.9 |
| Road Transport; Light duty vehicles | 2.2 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Road transport; Heavy duty vehicles | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0 3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Road Transport; Mopeds & Motorcycles | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0 2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Railways | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.8 |
| National Navigation | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Other mobile sources and machinery | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Combustion in Commercial and Residential Use | ||||||||
| Commercial and Institutional fuel combustion | 46 | 44 | 39 | 32 | 27 | 18 | 20 | 24 |
| Residential fuel combustion | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 9.8 | 10.2 | 9.1 |
| Household and gardening machinery | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Agricultural Fuel combustion | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.1 |
| Off-road Vehicles and Other Machinery | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| Fugitive Emissions from Fuel Manufacture | ||||||||
| Solid fuel transformation | 3.7 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Production Processes | ||||||||
| Glass and Asphalt production | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.1 |
| Chemical production | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 |
| Metal production | 27 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 |
| Wood impregnation | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Agriculture | ||||||||
| Field burning of agricultural wastes | 57 | 49 | 36 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Waste | ||||||||
| Solid waste disposal on land | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1 | 0.9 |
| Small scale waste burning | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| MSW Incineration and Refuse Derived Fuel combustion | 602 | 602 | 602 | 439 | 256 | 310 | 57 | 28 |
| Other Waste disposal² | 167 | 167 | 160 | 155 | 145 | 137 | 132 | 82 |
| Vehicle Fires | 5.3 | 6.7 | 7 4 | 7.1 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6 9 | 6.7 |
| Other Sources | ||||||||
| Bonfire Night | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| Total | 1,243 | 1,222 | 1,190 | 973 | 771 | 797 | 536 | 453 |
| International Navigation | 9 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 9 | 8 5 | 9.1 | 9.9 | 11.1 |
| Accidental and natural fires | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Sector | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | Contribution from source category to total dioxin and furans emissions in 2004 (%) |
| Combustion in Energy Production | ||||||||
| Public Electricity and Heat Production | 20 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.50% |
| Petroleum refining | 13 | 11 | 9.1 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 3.70% |
| Manufacture of Solid Fuels and Other Energy Industries | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.00% |
| Combustion in Industry | ||||||||
| Iron and Steel | 44 | 39 | 29 | 32 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 10.50% |
| Non-ferrous Metals | 23 | 18 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 8.8 | 5.9 | 2.1% |
| Other Industrial Combustion¹ | 68 | 64 | 58 | 63 | 54 | 54 | 81 | 28.60% |
| Transport Fuel Use | ||||||||
| Road Transport; Passenger cars | 6 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2 4 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 0.80% |
| Road Transport; Light duty vehicles | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1% |
| Road transport; Heavy duty vehicles | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1% |
| Road Transport; Mopeds & Motorcycles | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.02% |
| Railways | 2.9 | 3 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 1.20% |
| National Navigation | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.40% |
| Other mobile sources and machinery | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.20% |
| Combustion in Commercial and Residential Use | ||||||||
| Commercial and Institutional fuel combustion | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 6.8 | 2.9 | 1.00% |
| Residential fuel combustion | 8.8 | 8.9 | 7.1 | 7.9 | 6.7 | 4.8 | 5 | 1.80% |
| Household and gardening machinery | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.10% |
| Agricultural Fuel combustion | 7.1 | 7.2 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 7 | 2.40% |
| Off-road Vehicles and Other Machinery | 6.1 | 6 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.5 | 1.90% |
| Fugitive Emissions from Fuel Manufacture | ||||||||
| Solid fuel transformation | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.20% |
| Production Processes | ||||||||
| Glass and Asphalt production | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.40% |
| Chemical production | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00% |
| Metal production | 23 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 3.90% |
| Wood impregnation | 0.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Agriculture | ||||||||
| Field burning of agricultural wastes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Waste | ||||||||
| Solid waste disposal on land | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Small scale waste burning | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 18.20% |
| MSW Incineration and Refuse Derived Fuel combustion | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.10% |
| Other Waste disposal² | 50 | 48 | 47 | 47 | 47 | 48 | 46 | 16.20% |
| Vehicle Fires | 7.1 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 3.1% |
| Other Sources | ||||||||
| Bonfire Night | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 2.40% |
| Total | 360 | 334 | 299 | 308 | 285 | 266 | 285 | 100.00% |
| International Navigation | 12.1 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 7.2 | 6.9 | 7.9 | |
| Accidental and natural fires | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | |
| 1. Other industrial combustion—includes fuel combustion in industries other than iron and steel and non-ferrous metal production which are quoted separately and includes cement and lime production, ceramic, brick and refractory manufacture and industrial off road vehicle use. | ||||||||
| 2. Other waste disposal—includes agricultural waste burning, chemical incineration, activated carbon regeneration, sewage sludge incineration, clinical waste incineration, crematoria, foot and mouth pyres and animal carcass incineration. | ||||||||
| 3. Statistics on fires and international navigation are listed separately to the main inventory data for reporting purposes. |
What action they are taking to combat the emission of dioxins and furans resulting from domestic combustion of waste products and bonfires; and
What action they are taking to combat the emission of dioxins and furans resulting from domestic combustion of waste products and bonfires; and
What percentage of the United Kingdom's emissions of dioxins and furans is caused by (a) incinerators, and (b) domestic combustion of waste products and bonfires.
What percentage of the United Kingdom's emissions of dioxins and furans is caused by (a) incinerators, and (b) domestic combustion of waste products and bonfires.