Friday, February 17, 2006

Just alot of hot air?

In reply to a complaint to the Environment Agency hotline, (24 hour telephone number 0800807060) about the plume grounding I observed, I received this reply. With the individual NIRS reference number : 362907.

Anyone complaining should ask for a reference number and then they will get a reply in writing.

-----Original Message-----
From: Neil Gallagher [mailto:neil.gallagher@environment-agency.gov.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 5:18 PM
Subject: NIRS Reference No. 362907

Dear Mrs P

With reference to your report yesterday of the visible plume from Rugby cement works I can report the following.

The dust emissions from the main stack were in compliance throughout the day, the hourly averages being in the mid-20's. The limit is 55 milligrams per metre cubed with two hourly averages each day being permitted to rise to 83.

I accept that the plume may have been "breaking up" from time to time and some of its contents (whether it is "breaking up" or not) will come to ground in residential areas depending upon the wind direction and other meteorological factors. However the overriding fact is that the emission limits together with the height of the stack ensure a proper degree of protection for the local population. This has been demonstrated by the dispersion modelling work carried out and the ground level monitoring that has been and still is in progress. As you are aware the conclusions from this are that the emissions of dust from the cement works stack do not present a significant hazard.

Yours sincerely

Neil Gallagher
Regulatory Officer
Process Industries and Radioactive Substances Upper Trent Area

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