HC Deb 10 November 1999 vol 337 cc603-4W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the consent levels are for emissions from the Edmonton and Lewisham incinerators for(a) carbon monoxide, (b) hydrogen chloride, (c) nitrogen dioxide, (d) particulates and (e) sulphur dioxide. [97448]

Mr. Hill

Both incinerators are authorised under Part I Environmental Protection Act 1990. The following table shows the emission limits for the substances requested for each plant.

Substance The Edmonton incinerator (incinerators 1–5 and the clinical waste incinerator) Emission limit 95 per cent, hourly mean1 mg/m3 The SELCHP (Lewisham) Municipal incinerator Emission limit 95 per cent, hourly mean1 mg/m3
Carbon Monoxide 100 80
Hydrogen Chloride 30 30
Oxides of nitrogen2 expressed as NO2 350 350
Particulates 30 20
Sulphur Dioxide 300 80
1 For continuous monitoring the limits will be considered to be complied with if, in any 24-hour period, 95 per cent, of hourly average results are within these limits and no individual hourly average is greater than 1.5 times the relevant limit. For the Edmonton plant the limits are also for a single test, whether carried out manually or by instruments.
2 There is no specific limit for nitrogen dioxide. A condition is used to limit all Oxides of Nitrogen as if they were nitrogen dioxide.

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.