Agenda item

The Board received a presentation that summarised the health risk assessment being undertaken by the Council in response to recurrent fires at Arnolds Field off Launders Lane in Rainham. 

It was explained that there was limited sampling undertaken suggesting there is a wide range of waste, including household, commercial / industrial (including wood, paper, glass, plastic, mattresses, furniture, cables and fabric materials) and construction waste deposits, several metres deep. There have been a number of significant fires in subsequent years which was likely caused by heat and methane generated by decomposition of organic matter

It was stated that the frequency of fires had increased in 2022. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has attended for 12 LFB attendances for primary fires 52 attendances for damping down secondary fires and 70 attendances where residents think there is a fire. The LFB intend to use a drone with thermal imaging to determine if this is the case. In 2023, there have been 19 fires so far all of which occurred in the third quarter of the year.

It was noted that there has been an organised community action since the summer of 2022 following the complaints about smoke, dust and odour from the fires. Residents were also experiencing respiratory symptoms, sore throats and nosebleeds with links made to cases of cancer in the local community.

There have been public meetings organised by local residents with council officers participating. There is a Launders Lane crisis Facebook group with 1.6k members – sharing messages, fund raising, pushing for action on basis of perceived health risks.

There has been direct engagement with MP, elected members and Councils administration. Local residents have also engaged with the media to support their case with articles on local / regional media.

It was stated that before the 2022 public protection order that lead to a monitoring of Air Quality, there is a Air Quality monitor in Rainham about one kilometres from Launders Lane measuring Nitrogen DioxideNO2 and other particulates. During the summer of 2022, analysis showed particulates were high during fires but the peaks are shortlived and did not exceed current UK limits which allow for multiple exceedances providing the annual mean level is met. It was stated that areas closer to or more often downwind of the site might exceed limits for specific pollutants.

The Board was informed that the Council Leader chairs a steering group since late summer of 2022 to oversee response to residents’ concerns. The group also comprised Ward councillors, MPs, Environmental Authority, LFB, Chief Executive, Planning, Public Protection and Public Health.

It was stated that currently there is a health risk assessment on going led by Director of Public Health with the support of multiagency technical group.

A technical group was formed in September 22 to suggests approach to health risk assessment, reviews data generated, shares outputs with leadership group and residents. The Membership of the technical group comprised academic partners, LFB, TRL, Public Protection.

In terms of the Epidemiological findings, little progress has so far been achieved due to access to data. However, some progress is being made now to discuss the methodology for epidemiological analysis with colleagues from Imperial college and data will soon be made available by NHS partners.

The Board was informed of plans to appoint a provider to monitor ambient air quality between and during one or more fires, at one or more locations where residents are most likely to be affected by the smoke plume and to identify/quantify the precise products of combustion. This was in addition to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and other particulate matter being measured by Imperial College Breathe London Sensors.

Officers stated that when there have been significant fires there were elevations in the amount of PM2.5 in monitoring locations close to Arnold’s field site.

Officers agreed with residents that a solution to fires needed to be found and the landowner would be encouraged to find ways to resolve the problem.

During discussions, members of the board noted that monitoring was ongoing, it was suggested that available data be shared with residents. It was noted that there were drone images and that resident have also undertaken some drone surveillance. The Board was informed that the council was providing monthly report update on the site and information was available on the council website which can be accessible by residents.

The Board was assured that the council was meeting its statutory minimum requirement for monitoring general air quality.

The Board noted the presentation that summarised the health risk assessment being undertaken by the Council in response to recurrent fires at Arnolds Field off Launders Lane in Rainham and will receive the findings of the health risk assessment at a future date.