www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Experts are warning that the giant compost heaps used to recycle garden and kitchen waste collected by district councils could pose a risk to the health of area residents.
The concern that researchers have is that commercial open-air composting operations can lead to a rise in asthma, respiratory infections and skin complaints among residents living nearby – unless the sites are regulated properly.
It has already been found that workers at this type of composting site are at risk of diseases including farmer’s lung, caused by inhaling bacteria.
These warnings are coming as a study that was backed by the UK government found many industrial-scale composting operations failed to make correct assessments of risks posed to neighbouring communities.
The study, which was conducted by environmental and public health researchers at the UK Environment Agency and at Cranfield University, determined that of 44 composting sites, where thousands of tons of household waste are recycled each year, only eight had conducted risk assessments aimed at protecting area communities from bacteria, fungi and spore emissions, known as “bioaerosols”.
Increasing numbers of residents living near larger composting plants are reporting health problems that are thought to be the result of potentially harmful organic material thrown into the air in the composting process.
For more information on this article please visit www.telegraph.co.uk.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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