NHS moves to allay ash cloud health fears

Winds whip up ash from lagoons used to store power station waste

NHS Fife has moved to allay health fears over dust clouds that have plagued west Fife for weeks.

A prolonged spell of dry weather and winds have combined to whip up ash from the lagoons used to store Longannet power station waste.

This has created a pall of choking dust over local communities, leading to concerns, heightened by a report in a national newspaper of contaminants found last year in the lagoons. This was not a report on airborne pollution.

With ScottishPower issued with two enforcement notices, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency continues to inspect the measures in place to suppress the particles, and monitor the area.

Area manager Iain Cruickshank said: “While ash from within the lagoon is known to contain low levels of naturally occurring elements such as chromium and cadmium, these meet the environmental standards set out within the site’s permit.”

Data has been sent to health authorities for their assessment.

NHS Fife director of public health Dr Margaret Hannah said particulate matter levels monitored since May 5 have, on average, remained below the daily air quality standard set to protect health.

In comparison the average levels at Culross and Valleyfield continued to be in line with the rest of Scotland, she added.

“We would reassure locals that there is no evidence to suggest a significant risk to health in the area as a result of this event,” Dr Hannah said.

But local MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said communities had lost trust in ScottishPower.

The energy giant has, as well as implementing a huge number of measures to curb the environmental problem which included pumping water directly from the Forth, offered a window cleaning and car wash service to those inconvenienced by the debris.

Ms Somerville, who has asked ScottishPower for a copy of its management plan for the site, said: “A goodwill gesture of this nature is not enough; having your car cleaned or windows washed won’t make up for weeks of living with the ash cloud.

“ScottishPower simply cannot allay the fears local residents have about the contents of the dust cloud and the health implications it could have with this gesture – it is too little too late.”

Confirming the cleaning offer, a ScottishPower spokesperson said: “We apologise for the recent dust lifts from the Valleyfield ash lagoons.”

The firm has, they said, been working hard to curb the problem due to a prolonged dry spell on the vast site.

“The situation is under control and we will work tirelessly to prevent issues occurring again in future,” they added.

A goodwill gesture of this nature is not enough; having your car cleaned or windows washed won’t make up for weeks of living with the ash cloud. MSP SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE

Picture: JR Le Marie. ScottishPower has said it has been working hard to curb the problem, which has arisen due to a prolonged dry spell on the vast site.