Home > Press releases > 1999
12 May 1999
Friends of the Earth's analysis of the Environment Agency's Pollution
Inventory, published today, shows that Britain's biggest factories are
still releasing over 10,000 tonnes of cancer-causing chemicals into
the air (see tables) [1]. Associated Octel in Ellesmere Port are still
worst of the bunch, releasing 4,090 tonnes of cancer-causing chemicals,
down from 5,340 tonnes in 1996 (the last data published). Total reported
ICI releases from factories in Runcorn and Middlesborough have increased
by over 800 tonnes to 4382 tonnes. Glaxo Wellcome's releases at Ulverston
have increased by almost 20 per cent to 992 tonnes.
FOE is calling for the Government to set a statutory target to reduce
the release of hazardous substances by 80 per cent by 2005. FOE is also
demanding that the Pollution Prevention and Control Bill - currently
before Parliament - is amended to give the public a comprehensive picture
on pollution released into their area (including pollution from smaller
factories, landfill sites, transport, etc). Environment Minister, Michael
Meacher MP,made an election promise to introduce comprehensive pollution
inventories which he has yet to deliver on. The Environment Agency say
they are keen to develop a better inventory.
In February, FOE launched Factory Watch,
which named and shamed those companies releasing most cancer-causing
chemicals. The Environment Agency's Pollution Inventory has shied away
from using the same approach and does not outline the health threats
associated with the chemicals released. FOE has carried out a preliminary
analysis of the data but will be carrying out a more thorough analysis
shortly and publish national and regional “cancer-threat”
league tables. FOE has also recently published research showing industrial
pollution hits poorer communities harder (www.foe.co.uk/pollution-injustice).
Mike Childs, Senior Pollution Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
“People are still being bombarded by thousand of tonnes of hazardous
chemicals from Britain's filthy factories. The Government must make
drastic cuts in this pollution if they are serious about protecting
public health. They must also deliver on their election promise to give
people a decent right to know about all the pollution in their neighbourhoods.”
| Cancer-causing chemical | 1996 reported releases | 1998 reported releases -adjusted to exclude factories not reporting in '96 | 1998 total reported releases |
| Chloroethane |
5,247 tonnes
|
4,023 tonnes
|
4,023 tonnes
|
| Dichloromethane |
2,002 tonnes
|
2,288 tonnes
|
2,400 tonnes
|
| 1,2-Dichloroethane |
1,900 tonnes
|
2,193 tonnes
|
2,256 tonnes
|
| Benzene |
1,122 tonnes
|
568 tonnes
|
1,795 tonnes
|
| Vinyl Chloride |
699 tonnes
|
396 tonnes
|
397 tonnes
|
| Total |
10,970 tonnes
|
9,468 tonnes
|
10,871 tonnes
|
| Company | Factory Watch releases(tonnes of cancer-causing chemicals to air in '96) | Environment Agency data -1998 |
| Associated Octel, South Wirral |
|
|
| ICI, Runcorn |
|
at least 3,381 tonnes of recognised carcinogens released. ICI claim this is due to changes in reporting requirements. However they didn't come clean when Factory Watch was launched and admit they released over 1,000 tonnes more carcinogens in 1996. |
| Glaxochem Ltd, Ulverston |
|
now called Glaxo Wellcome Ltd,released at least 992 tonnes of recognised carcinogens. |
| EVC (UK) Ltd, Thornton-Cleveleys |
|
at least 579 tonnes of recognised carcinogens still released |
| ICI, Redcar |
|
at least 710 tonnes of recognised carcinogens still released |
| ICI, North Tees |
|
at least 291 tonnes of recognised carcinogens still released |
| Courtalds Chemicals (Holdings) Ltd,Lancaster |
|
now Acordis Acetate Chemicals Ltd,releasing at least 299 tonnes of recognised carcinogens. |
| Zeneca Ltd, Huddersfield |
|
Process closed |
| Recticel Manufacturing, Derby |
|
at least 316 tonnes of recognised carcinogens released |
| Dow Chemical Co Ltd, Kings Lynn |
|
now releasing less than 1 tonne of recognised carcinogens |
| Total |
|
|
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
