KING’S LYNN: ‘no unacceptable risk to health’ says emissions expert
Air emissions from the proposed Lynn incinerator would not result in an “unacceptable risk” to health, a witness told the public inquiry last week.
Dr Mark Broomfield helped to start off Norfolk County Council’s case by telling Friday’s hearing that the incinerator would have no significant effects on health or the air quality.
Dr Broomfield reviewed Cory Wheelabrator’s planning application for the combined heat and energy plant at the Willows Business Park and had been commissioned to look at air quality health and ecology.
Speaking in West Norfolk Business Centre, Dr Broomfield said: “I conclude that the proposed development would not result in any unacceptable risk to health due to emissions to air, including consideration of risks which could potentially arise due to the consumption of fish, meat and dairy products or fruit and vegetables.”
Dr Broomfield used a computer model to forecast the dispersion of substances, including ammonia and metals, in the environment.
His analysis found that no air quality standard would be exceeded. He said the predicted environmental contribution for the relevant air quality standard would be 71 per cent nitrogen dioxide and 67 per cent arsenic.
He said no significant effects on air quality due to traffic were forecast.
Counsel for campaign group, King’s Lynn Without Incineration Carla Goodyear highlighted issues relating to odour along with the computer model used by Dr Broomfield.
He told the inquiry that the model was fit for purpose but added that it is subject to uncertainty and that minor inaccuracies need to be taken into account in assessments.
Miss Goodyear also looked at emissions and methane gas at landfill sites.
West Norfolk councillor and vice-chairman of the area’s patient partnership June Leamon highlighted a number of concerns including emissions from lorries going to the site in an already congested area.
She said: “What I can’t understand is why someone is telling me that there will no extra health risk from all these HGVs.”
Joy Franklin told the hearing that her grandson is ill with a compromised respiratory system.
She highlighted concerns about the impact on the food chain and that the incinerator bottom ash facility was not going to be run by Cory but by an as yet unnamed firm.
Dr Broomfield said the bottom ash is a greater risk than the main stack.
The inquiry has now been adjourned for a week and will re-start on Tuesday, March 26.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 19 May 2013
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