Environment Team Dealing With Chemically Contaminated Land: a Welsh Case Dr J Mark F Temple National Public Health Service for Wales

Environment Team Outline Background to the site The new approach adopted The outcome Other cases in brief Comparison with radio contamination Conclusions

The Works 1990

Environment Team Background Plant opened 1920 Making “smokeless fuel” from small coal Closed in 1990 Demolished, site derelict since No agreement on what to do with site Central v local government

2004

Environment Team New approach The Environment Agency wanted site cleaned up Organised a stakeholder dialogue As part of that a rapid participatory HIA was undertaken Members of public assessed risks Made recommendations on remediation

Environment Team Outcome After 15 years of inaction –£12m (€ 17m) investment in remediation of site –Public report improved well being (not formally tested)

Environment Team Other Cases Landfills near communities –Volatile and gaseous emissions A community near and oil refinery Allotment holders in a city centre –Arsenic and lead

Environment Team Similar to Radiological Contamination High levels of public concern Political desire for discrete answers Data on occupational exposure satisfactory –Cohort studies Data on community exposure sparse –Ecological studies

Environment Team Contrasts Radiological Contamination Measurement technology advanced/ in infancy Mechanisms of action understood/ not explored High levels of expertise & international co- ordination/ expertise fragmentary & international disagreement

Environment Team Conclusions Public participative assessments are –Robust –Effective –Quick They may also give additional benefits to public health

Environment Team Recommendation Approach developed in Belarus‘ is ideal for chemical contamination. Need to develop international consensus on –Measurement approach –Effects To do this requires fundamental research