News / Environment
Avonmouth air quality ‘satisfactory’
Air quality in Avonmouth is “satisfactory” according to the Environment Agency (EA).
The results of a three month air quality monitoring exercise were revealed to residents on Tuesday night. The EA and Bristol City Council tested levels of pollutants between August and December last year.
Residents were also told that, based on evidence from the Avonmouth Medical Centre, respiratory problems aren’t significantly different to the Bristol average.
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However, residents said they were concerned at the “averaging” of the data, and it was pointed out that the raw data showed ‘over 12,000 occasions in which the measurement of air pollution went above the EU standard’.
EA and council experts said it was that the average exposure is what matters.
However, it was confirmed that the data was unable to say where the pollution was coming from and what the dust consisted of. It was agreed that core samples would be taken of the soil in various locations to test for chemical composition
A further report is due in two weeks from an independent consultant setting out how well Bristol City Council has regulated Sims Metal, which is permanently regulated by the EA.
Darren Jones, prospective Labour candidate for Bristol North West, said his main concern was “the future development of Avonmouth”.
“It’s Europe’s largest brownfield development site. It’s vital that the Local Enterprise Partnership properly plans the future strategy for Avonmouth so that we attract the best businesses to create local jobs for local people without further damaging the environment and the local community.
“For many decision makers and businesses, Avonmouth is currently seen as the backyard of our city where we just burn rubbish. This isn’t good enough.”
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