75 years of quarrying already, Enough is Enough!
Quality of Life Health & Wellbeing
Health
The World Health Organisation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Infrastructure has both direct and indirect impacts on physical and mental health, and these impacts can be both positive and negative
Preserving Community Health and Well-being: A Case Against Further Quarrying
Living in close proximity to sand & gravel quarries poses significant health risks for communities, and it's crucial to consider the mounting scientific evidence supporting this concern. These risks hinge on factors such as the quarry's proximity to residential areas, the materials quarried, the size of the operation, prevailing winds, and the efficacy of mitigation measures. Extended exposure to such environmental stressors can have far-reaching consequences for the health and well-being of local residents.
Air Quality Concerns: Quarrying activities generate substantial dust and particulate matter (PM10s PM2.5s), potentially laden with hazardous substances like silica, a well-known Group 1 carcinogen, present in sand and gravel. Group 1 Carcinogens, as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) are substances, chemical mixtures, and exposure circumstances which have been classified as carcinogenic. Tobacco smoke, Asbestos and Mustard Gas are included in Group 1.
Inhaled, these particles can lead to respiratory issues, especially for those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The scientific consensus emphasises the significant health risks posed by fine particulate matter, particularly particles under five microns in size, which can easily infiltrate homes, endangering the health of the local population. The Technical Spec on Air Quality Monitoring equipment used by many quarry operators is often not appropriate to measure finer particulate matter that presents more serious threat to health. There are many options available that not only provide very reliable monitoring but also ‘real time digital data that can be shared. Sadly however, these sophisticated options are not readily chosen by mineral operators even though they are widely available. Both DEFRA and the Environment agency support a Certified scheme but these do not seem to be enforced - see https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/networks/monitoring-methods .
BREEDON’S AIR MONITORING EQUIPMENT
MCERTS AIR QUALITY MONITORING EXAMPLE
VS
Measure pm10s & pm2.5s
DO NOT Measure pm10s / pm2.5s
“It would be the responsibility of
the local authority to ensure that any future quarry adheres to these levels, which in
turn should ensure that members of the public are protected.”
Noise Pollution: Quarry operations encompass heavy machinery, explosive blasting, and crushing activities, leading to elevated noise levels. Long-term exposure to disruptive noise levels can result in stress, and other adverse effects to quality of life. Furthermore, the incessant noise from quarry traffic and plant machinery compounds the problem, posing a clear and present danger to the community's well-being.
Vulnerable Populations at Greater Risk: Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with existing health conditions are at increased risk of suffering the health consequences of air and noise pollution. Proximity to a gravel quarry can exacerbate their pre-existing health issues, further underscoring the need for protective measures.
Aesthetic and Mental Health Implications: Beyond physical health, the mere presence of a quarry can alter the local landscape, potentially leading to increased stress and reduced well-being among residents. The cumulative effects of noise, dust pollution, loss of open space, and disturbances over an extended period can have profound mental health implications, affecting local communities subjected to these challenges.
Disruption to Daily Life: Noise, dust, and other disturbances tied to quarry operations significantly disrupt the daily lives of residents, thereby diminishing their overall quality of life.
Regulatory Oversight and Monitoring: The effectiveness of addressing health concerns relies on local regulations, enforcement mechanisms, the competence and motivations of governing bodies, as well as the proactive measures taken by quarry operators to mitigate potential impacts and the quality of monitoring.
IN SUMMARY Emerging scientific evidence supports the contention that gravel quarrying poses substantial health and well-being risks to local communities. Silica, a known carcinogen, represents a grave concern, given the potential for fine particles to infiltrate residential areas. Regulatory bodies must take robust measures to safeguard the health of residents, especially those with pre-existing health conditions. Failure to do so may result in lasting harm to the mental and physical well-being of communities enduring continuous quarrying operations.
Reference Material:
Control of Exposure to silica dust - A guide for employees hse-https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fzed93VfwujGXxBXfyrBIYokXGcZExvj/view?usp=drive_link
Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7956e0ed915d0422067947/pb13750-noise-policy.pdf
Noise Exposure Hierarchy Table https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d39a87ce5274a4010e33fef/noise_exposure_hierarchy.pdf
National Infrastructure Commission - Quality of Life https://nic.org.uk/studies-reports/quality-of-life/#tab-interpreting
Health Safety Executive- Dust Kills Campaign: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/campaigns/silica/
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/contents
General duties of employers and self-employed to persons other than their employees.
Section 3: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/section/3/2015-10-01
Human Rights Act 1998 Section 6 - It is unlawful for a public authority to act in a way which is incompatible with a Convention right Article 8
2021 Environment Act incorporated into new guidance for Local Authorities re Air Quality
Below are two striking examples of how other Councils Prioritise Air Pollution, something not mentioned once in the LCC Strategy. The lack of focus and priority regarding environmental impact on health is quite shocking.
“Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to the public’s health, contributing to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.”