§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what analysis has been made of dioxins and other materials emitted by slow burning wood fires with particular reference to(a) foot and mouth cremation pyres and (b) forest fires. [158415]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 23 April 2001]: I have been asked to reply.
The Department of Health has recently published a risk assessment "Foot and Mouth—Effects on Health of Emissions from Tyres Used for Disposal of Animals" (available on www.doh.gov.uk). The risk assessment provides estimates of the release of dioxins and other air pollutants from pyres and predicted concentrations in air.
My Department has undertaken air quality monitoring in the vicinity of some larger pyres, being used to dispose of animal carcases. Some local authorities have also instigated such monitoring. In addition, the Environment Agency have assisted Government by monitoring and modelling air pollution in the vicinity of pyres.
Air quality monitoring has been undertaken at Sennybridge in Wales, and Holsworthy, Chumleigh and Okehampton in Devon. A limited survey was also undertaken around one pyre in Allerdale, Cumbria. At all sites, measurements of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particles have been made, and found to be generally low. At Sennybridge, Holsworthy, Okehampton and Allerdale monitoring for polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls has also been carried out. Dioxin concentrations in air have been reported by Powys county council, measured in the vicinity of the pyre at Sennybridge, and Allerdale district council in the vicinity of the Allerdale pyre. At these sites dioxin concentrations in air, measured at locations between 1 km and 2 km from the pyres, ranged between 2.57–8.16 fg/m3 I-TEQ. These concentrations are low when compared with average urban levels, and are of a similar order to those currently found in rural areas of the UK.
I am not aware of any corresponding work in relation to forest fires in the UK. However the national atmospheric emissions inventory estimates that 2 per cent. (5.8g) of the UK's annual emissions in the UK in 1999 was derived from natural fires.