HC Deb 16 June 1972 vol 838 cc422-4W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what tests have been carried out under arrangements made by his Department, on polluted land at Ropers and Trumpion's Farm, Barling, Essex, and by whom; whether these have been completed; what conclusions have been reached; what remedial action has been authorised; and what steps are being taken by the local authority to prevent access to the polluted areas by children and others.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

There is no evidence that there is any hazard to health, but investigations are being carried out by the local authority on advice from the Department of Health and Social Security and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Analyses of sewage sludge and soil have been made, and different types of vegetable are being grown to ascertain the uptake from the soil. The results of these tests are expected later this year, when I hope that it will be possible to determine whether any potential hazard exists. I understand that the cottages will remain unoccupied until the risk can be assessed. Access to the land either by children or adults would not involve a risk.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the tolerable limits recognised by his Department for soil pollution by heavy metals; what quantities of heavy metals have been found in the soil of Ropers and Trumpion's Farm, Barling, Essex; and whether the source of this pollution has yet been located.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Some heavy metals are normally present in varying quantities in the sewage sludge which has been trenched into this land for disposal for many years. In time the concentration may rise to a point where it is an impediment to healthy plant growth but there is at present insufficient evidence to determine tolerable limits for soils: investigations are proceeding into this.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has recently published an advisory paper (ADAS Advisory Paper No. 10) on the permissible levels of toxic metals in sludge used on agricultural land, and Regulations prescribe the maximum permissible quantities of certain heavy metals such as lead allowed in fruit and vegetables.

Samples taken from different parts of Ropers and Trumpion's Farm show widely differing results, reflecting the extent to which the sludge has been assimilated by the soil. As an indication, the range is up to 287 parts per million for lead, 315 for copper, 545 for zinc and 20 for cadmium. In the tests now being undertaken, the uptake levels of the crops now being grown will be measured to ascertain whether they are fit for human or animal consumption.