Sand and pigs blamed for Port Talbot's pollution
SAND storms in Africa, forest fires in Europe and even Danish pig farms are mucking up the air in Port Talbot.
So-called PM10 pollution, which involves health-threatening fine particles, tends to be blamed on M4 traffic and heavy industry.
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But according to experts, it’s sometimes down to more unusual and farther-flung sources.
New figures show levels of PM10 pollution fell in 2010, when they breached the maximum permitted level on 13 days.
But they rose again last year, breaching the upper limit on 29 days.
Neath Port Talbot Council’s climate change manager Geoff Marquis said 11 of these breaches were caused by incidents far outside the county boundary.
“Two or three times it was down to Saharan sand,” said Mr Marquis.
“There were also problems with Danish pig farms and with Eastern European forest fires.
“All of these added to our burden last year compared to the year before, when there was only one, but there is not a lot we could do about them.”
However, despite these breaches, the town’s PM10 levels still complied with the Government’s air quality objectives.
The council and its partners have been working on a joint project to tackle all forms of pollution across the county, developing action plans and agreeing ways of achieving them.
Action has included expanding the number of sites monitored, holding public events hosting workshops specifically aimed at developing further ideas for dealing with PM10 issues in Port Talbot.
Mr Marquis said Tata was investing £3 million this year as part of the programme. “Last week we also switched on a new monitor at Mariners Point,” he added.
10 Comments
by westcoastswan
Monday, February 06 2012, 9:04PM
“Westminster government should give steelworks tax breaks then the money could be spent on making the steelworks more enviromently friendly.
Steel is needed for the green agenda like to build wind turbines, railways, etc”
by gorseboy
Monday, February 06 2012, 8:14PM
“Without the steel works (which has been there over 60 years) the town would become desolate.
The process of steel production involves waste gases and other materials,this has been accepted by residents for years,only these GREEN so called saviours of our planet make a meal out of nothing.”
by PhilEvs
Monday, February 06 2012, 4:43PM
“I don't know why they try to hide it, the Steel Works will never be forced out of PT because of pollution, the town would die because of it.
That said, the steel works evidently aren't doing everything they could. It was only a year ago they realised they could burn their own waste gas to make electrical power. Now, I know they realised a lot sooner, but it's a complete no brainer no matter what the scale of economies are.
Anyone can see the smoke leaving the facilities throughout the day and night, that isn't steam. And it certainly isn't "clean" emissions either.
Accept it's dirty industry, but accept it's not going anywhere, Port Talbot needs it.”
by Dreams2009
Monday, February 06 2012, 4:35PM
“Most of people dont know that air can take up sand and other pollutants to long distances . One good example is Ozone depletion in Anatartica and Artic though there is no industrial influence over there. Its all due air current movement and pollutants being taken up . If you look at the geographical location of Port Talbot , you can see its exposed to Sahara sand, European pollutants etc. I am saying this because I have studied these kinds of Case study.
Regarding Steel works , Tata had invested millions of pounds so far to improve Air Qauality and is working closely with EA , Welsh Government and Port Talbot council .The result is there had been no breach occured more than 35 in the last 5 years. Also it care for the local community as well .They have organised open day for locals every year and welcomed their feedback from time to time . Instead everyone should come forward and show support rather than abusing this company. Its much better than others .....”
by Undercurrents
Monday, February 06 2012, 2:42PM
“Forget the pollution from pigs- it is coming from the white elephant not mentioned in this 'story'. Port Talbot steel works (and the M4) is the main cause of the filth. I suspect Tata had a hand in this dodgy report.”
by josh13
Monday, February 06 2012, 1:54PM
“when we were kids on a school trip, there'd always be a rush to shut the air vents on the coach the moment we knew Port Tablet was coming up, the sulphurous stench was there back then and just as bad today, how on earth do the locals live there I don't know, must just get used to the stink and no longer notice it.”
by scuffs1
Monday, February 06 2012, 12:49PM
“thats the best one yet. tata stinks out port talbot, nobody else”
by handyman
Monday, February 06 2012, 10:35AM
“besides the stinking steel works causing filth and ill heaLth over port talbot and surrounding area's for decades,its the coal dust and dust from iron ore tankers coming in and out of the deep water docks,i fish close to the docks and watch plumes of constant dust coming fromthe big ships when being unloaded,
sahara desert HA HA dont make me laugh!”
by geffodog
Monday, February 06 2012, 10:14AM
“this story is a load of rubbish,the steel works are the problem here and it always has been!”
by UpperBank
Monday, February 06 2012, 8:55AM
“Anything to do with Fukushima?”