We will continue to monitor and campaign over incinerator
WILL Coronavirus kill-off the Biffa Incinerator?
Just a small increase in long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) leads to a large increase in coronavirus death rate, scientists at Harvard University have suggested.
In the latest study to show there is a large overlap between the causes of death of coronavirus patients and exposure to air pollution, their study found that an increase of only 1 microgram is associated with a 15 per cent increase in the death rate.
The study says that because exposure to air pollution is known to damage the heart and lungs, it increases vulnerability to experiencing the most severe coronavirus outcomes.
We continue to work with the university and Charnwood Borough Council to roll-out equipment to monitor PM2.5; this will start as soon as Biffa’s contractors have ‘put a spade in the ground’.
Monitoring will establish the baseline for air quality at key sites that would be affected by the incinerator emissions.
In addition, a clear inconsistency is that the Environment Agency permits Biffa’s incinerator to emit thousands of tonnes p.a. of CO2. Currently CO2 is not covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive - or any other UK legislation. This is in direct conflict with central and local government assertions that the UK will become carbon neutral.
Until legislation is enacted to ban CO2 emissions from waste incineration the EA will continue to issue these permits.
Earlier this year Loughborough Air Quality Protection Group representatives met with Jane Hunt MP and were re-assured that she remains totally opposed to the incinerator and will work with like-minded MPs to press for changes in legislation.
Our sister organisation NWRG is pressing Leicestershire County Council as the Waste [Disposal] Authority) for a statement that LCC will not contract to use the J23 incinerator for the period of their recently adopted Waste Local Plan (i.e. up to 2031).
We are also identifying CXOs in Biffa’s key customers in the public and private sectors, most of which will all have zerocarbon policies; we intend to write to them asking for similar statements.
We would like to hear from anyone who may be able to assist with this. Please contact mail@laqpg.org.uk