Hanson Cement Investigation
Author:Chris Lines, Director of Communications
Date:28 September 2010 / Version:0a
Purpose and Summary of Document:
This document provides a briefing for the Board on the investigations being led by Public Health Wales into the health concerns associated with Hanson Cement’s works at Padeswood, Flintshire.
Sponsoring Executive Director:
Dr Hilary Fielder, Executive Director of Public Health Services
Who will present:
Dr Hilary Fielder, Executive Director of Public Health Services
Documents attached:
None
Date of Board meeting:
4 October 2010
Committee/Groups that have received or considered this paper:
None
Please state of the paper is for:
Discussion
Decision
Information / X
1Purpose
This document provides a briefing for the Board on the investigations being led by Public Health Wales into the health concerns associated with Hanson Cement’s works at Padeswood, Flintshire.
2Recommendation
The Board is asked to note this document.
3Timing
There are no timing issues relating to this briefing.
4Financial Implications
There are no financial implications to this briefing. There are financial implications to the investigation which, in addition to the staff resource, involves the production and distribution of a newsletter locally and the organisation of focus groups and drop-in sessions for the community.
5Introduction
In May 2010, the Minister for Health and Social Services asked Public Health Wales to work with other interested agencies and the local community to gain a better understanding of the health concerns associated with the cement works. These concerns follow several incidents relating to Hanson Cement over the past few years.
6Background
To date, Public Health Wales has received around 44 comments on Hanson Cement from members of the local community. The views expressed are mainly associated with environmental and public health concerns.
The majority of these views were tabled at the first meeting of the investigation response team on 15 June 2010. There was broad agreement amongst the community representatives at the meeting that they were a comprehensive and fair reflection of their concerns.
A second meeting of public health staff and representatives of the local community was held on 9 September 2010 to discuss public health concerns.
Staff from Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Health Protection Agency, Environment Agency Wales, Food Standards Agency, and Flintshire County Council discussed the approach being used to respond to the public health concerns and the work that is already underway.
The meeting was the second opportunity for community leaders to meet with the staff conducting the investigation to discuss what approach will be taken and what work is already in progress.
The meeting gave the investigation team the opportunity to help the local community understand the approach that is being taken to respond to their concerns.
The investigation team’s aim is to help people to understand each step of the investigation process so they will have a fuller understanding of the information, conclusions and recommendations which may come from the investigation.
Andrew Jones, Executive Director of Public Health for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is chairing the investigation.
Environment Agency Wales regulates Hanson (Castle) Cement, Padeswood, through a permit that details how emissions are controlled measured and monitored. The emission limits are set using relevant European or UK legislation. Consultation was undertaken with public health, health and Local Authorities to ensure all concerns regarding safety of the environment and local residents were considered when these permit conditions were set.
7Next Steps
An expert professional group has been established to respond to the concerns expressed and a number of programmes of work have started.
An environmental risk assessment process is being undertaken. This work is being carried out to make sure that the nature of the emissions from the plant and any associated risks are fully understood.
This includes a review of which chemicals are used in the processes at the plant, legal levels for emissions, the way in which people might be exposed to contamination, and existing monitoring data on emissions which is available from a number of sources. The health impacts of other environmental factors, such as noise, are also being investigated.
The investigation team is examining concerns relating to health. The first step in this process is the production of descriptive health information which uses existing data to put the health of the local community into the wider context of health across North Wales. This work has begun and further work may be needed following its completion.
A detailed review of the existing data on cancer ratesand an assessment of perceived ‘clusters’ of disease is also underway and being conducted by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU).
A programme of community engagement has been planned to gather local views of the plant. Six focus groups will be held in the local community over the coming weeks and community groups will receive letters inviting them to participate in early October.
Further meetings with local community representatives will continue to be held to report on the investigation’s progress.
The investigation team is undertaking very detailed work which cannot be rushed so the timeframes involved cannot be estimated at this stage.
Date: 28 September 2010 / Version: 0a / Page: 1 of 4