§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the principle of using best available techniques not entailing excessive cost is applied to crematoriums in the UK. [144726]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 15 January 2001]: Statutory guidance on the application of this principle to crematoriums was issued by the Secretary of State in 1991 and revised in 1995. The guidance was published by HMSO. A further review of the guidance is now in progress, in consultation with relevant interest groups. Under section 7(11) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authority regulators are required to have regard to such guidance.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the findings of recent ambient air quality surveys have been concerning the level of airborne mercury particles near crematoriums; and how, and at what level, such pollutants may become a danger to health. [144727]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 15 January 2001]: My Department has carried out a one year study measuring mercury particle and vapour concentrations near a crematorium site at Sutton Coldfield. That study ended in December 2000. Results so far indicate that annual mean concentrations of mercury particles are likely to be less than 0.1ng/m3 (nano-grams per cubic metre), and often below the limit of detection, while concentrations of mercury vapour are around 3.0ng/m3.
188Wdecisions under the predecessor regime, the Agency will make publicly available a decision document outlining the basis for its decision.