Home > Press releases > 1998
14 Aug 1998
Last week a report in the Lancet report showed children born near toxic
landfill sites were more likely to have birth defects. The report also
called for systematic environmental health surveillance of other pollution
sources [1]. Friends of the Earth (FOE) today shows how the Government
and local councils are failing to control pollution from filthy factories.
FOE is publishing ' The Polluting Factory Campaign Guide'
[2], to help local people fight back.
The FOE guide provides comprehensive information on how factory pollution
is regulated,and how local people can pressurise the regulators to clean
up the pollution. Examples include (contacts available, listed below):
Recent reports have confirmed that the regulators are not up to the job.
The Environment Agency regulates all emissions from larger factories,
and emissions to rivers from smaller factories. But lack of resources
is leading to delays and reduced inspections of factories [3].One inspector
has been quoted as saying that "The rogues in industry will sense that
they can take advantage of that."
Many local authorities, responsible for air pollution from smaller factories are doing even worse. According to a Government-funded survey [4], only half routinely inspect factories to check that they have upgraded pollution control. Few local authorities have any pollution monitoring equipment, so they are totally dependant on monitoring by the companies themselves.
Dr Michael Warhurst, Pollution Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, and the
author of the campaign guide, said:
"Regulation of filthy factories is failing badly. Friends of the Earth's new campaign guide will help local people to force companies, Councils and Government agencies to clean up their environment. Time and time again, well-directed public pressure has led to environmental improvement. Local people can force companies to stop spewing out pollution into the air and local rivers."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] "Risk of congenital anomalies near hazardous waste landfill sites
in Europe: the EUROHAZCON study", The Lancet, 8/8/1998, p423-427.
[2] "The Polluting Factory Campaign Guide", ISBN 1 85750 322 8, Published by Friends of the Earth Limited.Available for 15 from Friends of the Earth's publications department on 020 7490 1555, catalogue code L440(Media copies available from the Press Office).
[3] "Agency slips behind on review of IPC authorisations", ENDS
Report 281, p5-6
[4] "LAPC survey finds flaws in process upgrades, inspections",
ENDS Report 280, p6
[5] Local Contacts (phone numbers removed for web version of press
release):
Viv Mountford has been campaigning against pollution from ICI's
massive chemical plant in Runcorn, Cheshire,for many years.
Lesley James campaigns against pollution from National Power's Drax
power plant; she has written a case study for the guide.
Judy Yacoub has been campaigning against pollution from Castle Cement's
works in Clitheroe, Lancashire,and against Castle's burning
of hazardous waste at this cement plant. She has written a case study
for the guide.
Brian Jackson has been campaigning against pollution from several factories in Calderdale, Yorkshire (and other areas) resulting in substantial improvements in air quality in the area.
- REVIEW COPIES OF THE FOE GUIDE ARE AVAILABLE -
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
