Defra confirmed on the 10th January 2008 that the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza had been found among swans at Abbotsbury Swannery in the Chesil Beach area of Dorset.

A Wild Bird Control Area and Monitoring Area are being established by Defra around the premises, encompassing Chesil Beach and Portland Bill, and the shape of these is based on expert ornithological advice. This is to prevent the potential for further spread to neighbouring flocks and/or farms.

Despite this incident the current level of risk to humans from H5N1 avian influenza remains extremely low. Nonetheless, any possibility of exposure is taken very seriously and the Health Protection Agency is working closely with Defra and local NHS partners to ensure that all the necessary actions are being taken to protect those people who may have been exposed to the sick or dead birds.

These actions include the offering of antiviral drugs and seasonal influenza vaccine where appropriate to people who have been in close contact with the infected swans.

Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is a contagious disease of birds caused by viruses, that normally only infects wild birds and, rarely, other species including domestic poultry. Evidence from past outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza shows that the virus does not easily infect people and there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

The current level of risk to humans from avian flu is extremely low and there is no need for local residents to restrict or change their everyday activity. Most human H5N1 infections so far have occurred through direct contact with live or dead infected poultry or very rarely via wild birds.

Members of the public who find dead or sick birds (three or more of the same species or five or more of different species in the same place) should not approach the birds and are asked to notify Defra on 08459 33 55 77. This helpline can also provide further information on avian influenza. The Defra website also contains useful information and advice.

Bird flu advice

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a highly infectious notifiable disease affecting many species of birds, including commercial, wild and pet birds. A severe form of avian influenza or ‘bird flu’ – called H5N1 – has affected poultry flocks and other birds in several countries since 2003.

There is no firm evidence that H5N1 has acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person. However, concern remains that the virus might develop this ability, or that it might mix with human flu viruses to create a new virus. It is this ability of avian influenza, to change and to mix, that has given rise to the fear of a new human flu pandemic.

Reporting dead birds

If you need to report dead wild gulls, waders, ducks, geese or swans; groups of dead birds or need advice on avian flu, please contact the Defra Helpline 08459 33 55 77 and choose the Avian Influenza option which will be open from 8:30am - 8pm, 7 days a week. More information on finding dead birds is available from the Defra website.

Find out more

More information about Avian Flu is available from Defra. The Department of Health website also contains a large amount of information and advice on bird flu, travel advice, precautions and treatments.

Current Department of Health advice on how to reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of catching or spreading influenza during a pandemic includes:

Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them
Avoiding non-essential travel and large crowds whenever possible
Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people
Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning product;
making sure your children follow this advice.

If you do catch flu:

Stay at home and rest
Take medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetemol to relieve the symptoms (following the instructions with the medicines). Please note: Children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready made flu remedies containing aspirin
Drink plenty of fluids
Contact your doctor if your condition worsens. Advice on symptoms and signs to watch for will be publicised when a pandemic starts.

Should a flu pandemic occur, more information will be given at the time through leaflets, websites and the media. Such information will tell you how you can protect yourself and your family and what to do if you think you are infected.

Some people will be recommended treatment – further information will be given at the time.

Community Health Profiles

Community Health Profiles are now available to download for every local authority area in the region.

The Association of Public Health Observatories was commissioned by the Department of Health in 2005 to produce Health Profiles. The first batch of profiles was produced in 2006. The updated and improved Health Profiles 2007 were released in June 2007. The White Paper 'Choosing Health' also included the commitment to publish a national 'Health Profile of England' and this was published in 2006 (the Health Profile of England is available here).

The profiles describe the health of the local population and enable comparison local, regionally and nationally as well as over time. It is hoped that they will be used for action planning by local strategic partnerships. The indicators used in each profile includes eco-footprints.

The aims of the profiles are:

To provide a consistent, concise, comparable and balanced overview of the population’s health that informs local needs assessment, policy, planning, performance management, surveillance and practice.
To be a distillate of the absolutely key, most useful (currently available) indicators (with a reference to new data/indicators and unavailable data/indicators).
To be primarily of use to joint efforts between local government and the health service to improve health and reduce health inequalities, but ultimately to empower the wider community

Climate change and health

Stratospheric ozone acts as a shield by absorbing potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation which would otherwise reach the earth's surface.

According to the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership, climate change is already impacting on our health in the region, which will increase in accordance with future climatic predictions, including:

Warmer, sunnier summers are likely to encourage more outdoor leisure and lighter clothing, increasing exposure to the sun and so risks such as skin cancer.
Warmer temperatures may also increase the incidence of food poisoning
Summer heatwaves may increase accidents for workers and cause short-term increases in mortality and ill health in the sick and in older people.
Milder winters, however, are likely to reduce winter mortality and injury rates, such as falls on ice, will be reduced.

The South West region has the highest incidence and mortality of malignant melanoma of any area of the UK. Both incidence and mortality rates are rising. However survival rates are higher than average for England. The region is one of the sunniest parts of the UK, and approximately a quarter of its population are beyond retirement age. People who like the sun are believed to preferentially retire to coastal parts of the region. This implies that there is a concentration of elderly people with a long history of UV exposure along the South West coast. Yet to be published research by the South West Public Health Observatory examining the geographic distribution of melanoma cases has shown that the incidence of melanoma is significantly higher on the South West coast, particularly in more rural regions. Melanoma affects a younger age group than most cancers, and deaths from melanoma (see table) are almost entirely preventable. Prevention is possible either by taking precautions against exposure to excess UV, or by reporting suspicious skin lesions early. Public education is a key factor in encouraging both. (Source: South West Public Health Observatory, 2007)

The NHS has started to predict the likely impacts on health that this is likely to pose and has outlined these in Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK. This report discusses public perceptions of the impact of climate change on health, as well as available methods for assessing health implications. Key highlights include:

Temperature & health	The UK has the highest cold weather excessmortality in Europe, with an estimated 60,000-80,000 cold-related deaths. Assuming that temperature plays an important role in mortality, it is estimated that by the year 2050 excess cold weather deaths will have declined significantly, perhaps by 20,000 per year. This estimation assumes that other social and material conditions do not change. It is also estimated that heat-related deaths occurring in the summer will increase from about 800 to around 2800 per year. A significant increase in hospital admissions is also likely.
Food poisoning	Cases of food poisoning in the UK that are linked to warm weather have been increasing rapidly.This increase is likely to continue, and perhaps accelerate, as summer temperatures rise. An increase of about 10 000 cases each year by 2050 is estimated: clearly worrying even when seen against the background of the approximately 100 000 cases that currently occur each year.
Malaria & tick-bourne diseases	By 2050 the climate of the UK may be such that indigenous malaria could become re-established, but this is unlikely to present a major problem. Local outbreaks of malaria may occur in the UK and precautions should be taken by those living in low lying salt-marsh districts to avoid mosquito bites. While more contact with ticks is likely, predictions of a significant increase in tick-borne diseases in the UK are not well founded.
Safe drinking water	The UK has an excellent reputation for providing safe drinking water and good sanitation. This record and the measures upon which it is based are likely to prevent a significant increase in water-borne diseases as the UK climate changes.
Winter gales	The likely increase in occurrence of severe winter gales is a cause for concern. Deaths during severe gales are commonplace, as are severe injuries. The likely loss of electrical power supplies during severe storms adds very significantly to these problems.
Air quality	In general, levels of air pollution in the UK are falling and will continue to fall for some time. This decline, coupled with climate change, is likely to lead to a decline in air pollution-related deaths and illnesses. It is likely, however, that a small increase in levels of tropospheric ozone will occur and that associated deaths and episodes of illness will increase.
UV radiation	Warmer summers may well lead to increased outdoor activity and certainly to an increased risk of exposure to UV radiation. An increase in skin cancer and eye damage will follow unless steps are taken to limit exposure. If current world levels of emissions remain at today’s levels, the UK could expect 30,000 extra cases of skin cancer each year by 2050. If, on the other hand, the commitments of the Copenhagen Amendments are met then this could be reduced to 5,000 extra cases per year. It is estimated that 2,000 excess cases of cataract may also occur each year by 2050.
Greenhouse gas emissions	Measures to reduce emissions may also have secondary and beneficial effects on health. Reduced traffic speeds have been shown to reduce road accidents. A decreased dependence on motor transport could encourage walking and the use of bicycles which would also improve health. Efforts to improve insulation of houses may contribute to a decline in cases of cold-related deaths and illness. However, such benefits will need to be considered in light of possible deteriorations in indoor air quality resulting from decreased ventilation.

You can help to protect yourself against the harmful effects of UV radiation by using the Health Protection Agency's UV Index Graphs. Based on real time, these graphs show UV radiation at selected sites throughout the day and tell you when extra protection from the sun is required. Guidance is also given on the risk of sun damage according to your skin type.

Malignant melanoma

Rurality & distance to coast as risk factors for malignant menaloma (poster - September 2007)

The South West of Britain has the highest rate of skin cancer in the UK with approximately 250 deaths per year. Approximately 80% of deaths from skin cancer are due to Malignant Melanoma. These deaths are almost entirely preventable, and affect a younger age group than most cancers.

The incidence of malignant melanoma is driven both by physical factors ( levels of UV, age, and genetic makeup) and behavioural factors (principally sun-seeking behaviour and lack of precautions).

This poster summarises the influences of sunshine hours, rural/town coastal/inland wards and deprivation on the number of incidences of malignant melanoma in the region.

Cases of malignant melanoma in Cornwall

Rates of the deadliest form of skin cancer are continuing to rise in Cornwall, according to new research by the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and Plymouth's Derriford Hospital. According to this research cases of malignant melanoma rose in the county by 18% over a two-year period between 2003 and 2005.

Cornwall has the highest skin cancer rates in the country, but doctors had hoped warnings and safety advice would have led to a decline in case numbers.

Doctors believe people have not adjusted culturally to Britain's hotter summers - they have changed their lifestyles to take advantage of good weather but are still not taking the necessary precautions. Britain now has more deaths from skin cancer than Australia, where people are more used to covering up in the sun. Researchers fear an increase is likely to be mirrored elsewhere in the country.

Figures released by Cancer Research in April show cases have increased by 29% in men and 14% in women over the past 10 years.

Skin specialists say too many people mistakenly believe they can stay in the sun for longer if they use high-factor sun screens, but significant skin damage can be caused, even if sun screens prevent burning. Experts' advice include staying out of the sun between 1100 and 1500 BST, covering up with a T-shirt, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, using a high-factor sun screen and drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.

Air quality and health

Impact of vehicle pollution on children's lungs

The results of research into the impacts of exposure to traffic on the development of children's lungs was published in The Lancet in January 2007. According to this research, children who grow up near major roads are more likely to develop asthma and other respiratory diseases.

The study is the first to link permanent lung damage, which can shorten life expectancy, to traffic pollution. Previous research by the same scientists showed that children who grew up in areas of high pollution and car fumes were more likely to develop asthma. But the new study provides strong evidence that car emissions stunt crucial lung development in children between the ages of 10 and 18.

Scientists found that young people growing up in homes within 500 metres of a major road suffer significant damage to their lungs from exhaust fumes. Experts already know toxic traffic fumes can trigger lung conditions such as asthma. But the latest work suggests pollution can stop the lung from growing to its full potential, even in children who are otherwise healthy.

Three tests to measure the different types of lung function were carried out on 3,677 ten-year-old children from schools in 12 communities in California. By the age of 18, the age when lungs are fully developed, those who had lived within 500 metres of a motorway had much poorer lung function than those who had lived 1,500 meters away or more. This was still the case when factors such as smoking in the home were taken into account.

As background air quality did not alter the picture, children living in the countryside but close to a main road would also be at risk, the researchers add. Children living close to big roads in cities with high levels of background air pollution were likely to be at a greater risk of lung problems however because of the double effect on their lungs.

Scientists do not know exactly how air pollution hampers lung development, but they believe lung inflammation in response to daily irritation by air pollutants may play a role.

Guidance on air quality and health

A comprehensive leaflet detailing the impacts of air pollution on health is available from Defra (hard copy available free of charge).

According to this leaflet, if your health is good, the levels of air pollution we usually experience in the UK are unlikely to have any serious short-term effects. But on the rare occasions when air pollution levels are high, some people may feel eye irritation, others may start to cough, and some may find breathing painful.

People with lung diseases or heart conditions are at greater risk, especially if they are elderly. Daily changes in air pollution trigger increased admissions to hospital and contribute to the premature death of those who are seriously ill.

The table below describes how the health of people who are sensitive to air pollutants might be affected by pollution at the different levels or bands (people with heart conditions or severe lung diseases (such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema) also be more sensitive to changes in air pollution than the descriptions:

Impacts of air pollutants on people

Pollution band & numerical index	Health effect
1-3 (low)	Effects are unlikely to be noticed, even by people who know they are sensitive to air pollutants
4 - 6 (moderate)	Mild effects are unlikely to require action, but sensitive people may notice them
7 - 9 (high)	Sensitive people may notice significant effects, and may have to act to reduce or avoid them (for example, by reducing time spent outdoors). Asthmatics will find that their reliever inhaler should reverse the effects of pollution on their lungs
10 (very high)	The effects of high levels of pollution on sensitive people may worsen when pollution becomes very high
Sensitive individuals are people who suffer from heart and lung diseases, including asthma, particularly if they are elderly.

Source: Defra (2002)

The impacts of key air pollutants on health

Ground level ozone	Ozone is a gas which has an irritant effect on the surface tissues of the body, such as eyes, nose and lungs. It can increase the symptoms of those suffering from asthma and lung diseases. Irreversible damage to the respiratory tract and lung tissue can occur if ozone is present in sufficiently high quantities. High concentrations can also damage vegetation and materials.
Nitrogen dioxide	Nitrogen dioxide can irritate lungs and cause a lower resistance to respiratory infections such as influenza. Frequent exposure to high concentrations may cause children to suffer from acute respiratory illnesses.
Particulate matter	Particulate matter can aggrevate heart and lung diseases, as find particles are breathed deap into the lungs.
Sulphur dioxide	Sulphur dioxide can affect asthmatics, cause tightness of the chest and coughing Sulphur dioxide pollution is considered more harmful when particulate and other pollution concentrations are high.
Carbon monoxide	This gas prevents the normal transport of oxygen by the blood. It can lead to a significant reduction in the supply of oxygen to the heart, particularly in people suffering from heart disease.

Source: Air Quality Archive

More information about air quality and health is available from the Department of Health, including a free air pollution and health information pack (by post).

Pollution & chemicals

In the last 50 years man has created around 80,000 new chemicals. Hazardous man-made chemicals have contaminated every environment, and wildlife - from the ice in Antarctica and polar bears in the Arctic to whales, fish and snails. Up to 300 man-made chemicals have been also been found in humans (WWF).

The WWF describe two groups of chemicals that are of concern. The first group are the 'very persistent and very bioaccumulative chemicals' and the second are 'endocrine disrupting chemicals' (EDCs).

'Very persistent and very bioaccumulative chemicals' - those which persist for a long time and accumulate in the bodies of humans and wildlife (particularly in fat). It is difficult to predict the effects of long-term, low-level exposure to these chemicals. But if they are found to be toxic, as many in the past have turned out to be, we will have to live with their effects for many years to come. Once they are released into the environment it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to recover them.
The second group are 'endocrine disrupting chemicals' (EDCs). These can mimic, block or interfere with hormones such as oestrogen, androgen and thyroid, affecting wildlife and humans alike. As a result, they can hijack normal biological processes and may cause neurological, behavioural, developmental or sexual defects.

Chemicals in babies

A recent report published by the WWF and Greenpeace has highlighted the fact that chemicals can be found even in new born babies.

A Present For Life (WWF & Greenpeace, September 2005) analysed tests on blood taken from the umbilical cords of nearly 30 new-born babies and from more than 40 new mothers were analysed for the presence of eight groups of chemicals, ranging from artificial musks used in cosmetics and cleaning products to flame retardants and chemicals used to make plastics and non stick and water-proof coatings.

Previous studies had already reported the presence of hazardous chemicals in human blood and tissues and the ability of some chemicals to pass the placenta. This study further confirms that known or suspected hazardous chemicals from eight chemical groups are commonly present in umbilical cord blood. Key findings include:

Every single sample of mother or baby blood tested positive for an array of chemicals, many of which are suspected of links to health problems ranging from birth defects and genital abnormalities to certain types of cancer.
Most of the chemicals are found in products that we all use every day, like cleaning fluids and sprays, tin can linings, perfumes and cosmetics and even baby bottles. Others include banned pesticides like DDT that have lingered in the environment for decades.
All umbilical cords contained a minimum of five of the 35 chemicals tested for, some contained as many as 14. Two of the mothers tested had 17 of the 35 chemicals in their blood.
The report also highlights the possible effects of chemicals on children's brain development and intelligence.

On 29th October 2003, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new EU regulatory framework for chemicals, COM (2003) 644. Under the proposed new system called REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), enterprises that manufacture or import more than one tonne of a chemical substance per year would be required to register it in a central database.

This new proposed Regulation aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment while maintaining the competitiveness and enhancing the innovative capability of the EU chemicals industry. REACH would also give greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the substances. This information would be passed down the chain of production.

Chemicals in adults

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Co-operative Bank targeted clebrities in order to highlight the dangerous industrial chemicals found in our blood and call for stronger regulation of the chemical industry.

Out of the seven celebrities tested for 104 chemicals, all were "contaminated with toxic chemicals". These chemicals included banned organochlorine pesticides such as DDT, brominated flame retardants found in electrical equipment and furniture and perfluroninated chemicals used in stain proofing and non-stick treatments.

Sarah Beeny of Channel 4's Property Ladder, was found to have the highest level, with 30 chemicals in her blood. Swimmer and television presenter Sharron Davies, had the lowest level of chemicals in her blood sample with 10 of the 104 chemicals present.

The Rt. Hon Alun Michael MP (former Environment Minister) was also tested as part of the WWF's survey of the 14 European environment and health ministers in June 2004. 33 chemicals were found in Alun Michael's blood - 32 per cent of the 103 chemicals tested for - the lowesr number of chemicals found in the survey of the 14 European environment and health ministers. The Ministers had an average of 37 chemicals in their blood, with the highest number of chemicals found in any one minister being 43.

The chemicals found in the Minister include ones that were banned decades ago. The results uncovered the following chemicals: brominated flame retardants, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), breakdown products of DDT and twenty five different PCBs. The latter two chemicals were banned in the UK in the 1970s. All of these chemicals are persistent, in that they pollute the environment for a long time, and have been found to build up in people and wildlife.

The chemicals found in ministers also contaminate polar bears, dolphins, birds of prey and many other species even in the most remote environments. Although 86 per cent of the 2,500 chemicals used in large quantities do not have enough safety information publicly available to do a basic safety assessment, research increasingly links chemicals to cancers, allergies, reproductive problems and defects in children's development.

Impact of pollutants on animals

Many forms of pollution are currently affected animals and include litter, chemicals, sewage, oil and pollution incidents. See marine pressures for more information.

Research published in New Scientist found that animals around the world are increasingly behaving in bizarre ways due to environmental pollution.

The chemicals to blame are known as endocrine disruptors, and range from heavy metals such as lead to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and additives such as bisphenol A. Two major reviews have revealed that these chemicals are having a much greater impact on animal behaviour than anyone suspected. Low concentrations of these pollutants are changing both the social and mating behaviours of a raft of species. This potentially poses a far greater threat to survival than, for example, falling sperm counts caused by higher chemical concentrations.

Low concentrations of these pollutants are changing both the social and mating behaviours of a raft of species. This potentially poses a far greater threat to survival than, for example, falling sperm counts caused by higher chemical concentrations.

The two research teams have independently collected evidence revealing the effects on egrets and gulls, snails, quails, rats and macaques, minnows, mosquito fish, falcons and frogs. Behaviours altered include mating and parenting, nest building, learning, predator avoidance, foraging, activity levels and even balance.

In one study, for instance, male starlings exposed to dicrotophos insecticide decreased their singing, displaying, flying and foraging activities by 50%. And newts exposed to low levels of the pesticide endosulfan found it harder to sniff out the attractive pheromones of potential mates.

Researchers have also shown that increasing numbers of male western gulls hatched from eggs exposed to DDT attempt to mate with each other. In recent years, scientists have also found that lead affects the balance of gulls, while atrazine makes goldfish hyperactive and the chemical TCDD makes the play behaviour in macaques rougher.

Radon

Radon is a natural radioactive gas, which comes from the minute amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils. Although you cannot see, hear, feel or taste it, radon is present in all parts of the UK. However, levels are generally very low as the gas disperses outdoors. Radon is the largest source of natural radiation that we encounter and accounts for over 50% of our radiation exposure.

A full introduction and further information about radon and radiation is available from the Health Protection Agency.

We all breathe it in throughout our lives - for most UK residents, radon accounts for half of their total annual radiation dosage. However, geological conditions in certain areas can lead to higher than average levels.

Some of the highest radon levels have been found in the South West, but levels well above average have been found in some other parts of the UK.

The map opposite clearly shows high radon in the South West and, in particular, in the whole of Cornwall.

Radon affected areas in England & Wales

Map showing radon affected areas in England & Wales click to enlarge

Source: Health Protection Agency, based on on maps published in the Radon Atlas of England and Wales

Exposure to particularly high levels of radon may increase the risk of developing lung cancer. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has advised that indoor radon above an Action Level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre should be reduced. Most homes in the UK have fairly low radon levels, with an average of about 20 becquerels per cubic metre. The HPA conducts radon surveys for government departments, local councils, other organisations, and private householders.

Small radon detectors can be sent directly to householders by post, and returned at the end of a three month period. Radon causes invisible damage to the plastic inside the detector. This damage can be measured and used to calculate the radon level. A radon detection pack can be ordered from the HPA and typically costs around £38.

Penwith District Council, in the far west of Cornwall, is currently operating a radon rollout programme in which householders will be offered the opportunity to have a free radon test. Many properties in the district have already been tested for radon, and early indications are that 1 in 3 properties in the district have concentrations of radon that are at or above the Action Level. More information about this rollout programme is available from Penwith District Council (offer lasts for a limited period starting in Janury 2007).

North Cornwall is a radon affected area, meaning that at least 1% of the domestic properties have a radon level at or above the action level of 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m-3). North Cornwall District Council are also offering free radon testing kits to properties in areas where the likelihood of radon levels being above the action level is greater than 5% (offer lasts for a limited period starting in February 2007).

The Radon Atlas of England & Wales (National Radiological Protection Board, 2002) draws on radon measurements taken from 400,000 homes in England & Wales.

Bathing waters and health

Although the region’s bathing waters are of extremely good standard, they are still susceptible to diffuse pollution. These forms of pollution are flushed from the land and into the sea from livestock and fertilisers from agricultural land, changes in rainfall and landuse in surrounding catchments, inputs from roads and small-scale sewage discharges.

Diffuse pollution can cause significant health problems, including rashes, diarrhoea, dysentery and infections, for those using affected bathing waters or eating contaminated shellfish.

The World Health Organisation has published guidelines for safe recreational waters (coastal and fresh waters)

Waste & health

An assessment of scientific evidence of the physical health and environmental effects of options to manage municipal solid waste and similar wastes, and a report was published by Defra in May 2004. According to this report, a lot of detailed research has been carried out, both at these specific sites and nationally, to investigate whether waste management operations do in fact have any adverse health effects:

Landfill sites have been investigated as the possible cause of birth defects, cancers and respiratory illnesses including asthma
Incinerators have been investigated as to possible increases in cancer, birth defects and respiratory illnesses including asthma. Other studies have particularly concentrated on emissions of dioxins
Composting and Materials Recycling Facilities have been investigated for possible exposures to micro-organisms and odours, and lung diseases like bronchitis.

For most of the municipal solid waste facilities studied, we found that health effects in people living near waste management facilities were either generally not apparent, or the evidence was not consistent or convincing. However, a few aspects of waste management have been linked to health effects in local people.

Possible health effects identified were:

A detailed study of landfill sites has identified a possible link between living close to a landfill site, and the occurrence of some birth defects. The study also considered the occurrence of unusually low birth weight. This study was not able to say whether the associations are causal, or whether they might be reflecting other factors which the study could not address fully. The observation is a small increase in the risk of a birth defect happening in babies born to families living near landfill sites. The increase is much smaller than other factors which influence the likelihood of birth defects, and the numerical results cannot at present be reliably used.
A recent study undertaken at residential areas in close proximity to a commercial composting plant looked at the incidence of bronchitis and minor ailments in people living in this area. The study showed that there might be a link between emissions from the facility and these health effects in residents living nearby.

No health effects in the following:

The review did not find a link between the current generation of municipal solid waste incinerators and health effects. Cancers, respiratory diseases and birth defects, but found no evidence for a link between the incidence of disease and the current generation of incinerators.
A detailed UK study was carried out to investigate whether there is any indication that living close to landfill sites results in an increase in the occurrence of cancer. This study did not detect an increase in the occurrence of cancer.
Studies have been carried out to investigate the existence of a link between composting facilities and the occurrence of cancers and asthma. No link has been identified.

Landfill sites

Landfill sites have been investigated as the possible cause of birth defects, cancers and respiratory illnesses including asthma. A UK study has recently identified a link between living within 2km of a landfill site and a small increased risk of certain birth defects. However, it is not known if the landfill was the cause of the defects . A similar study found no evidence for an increased risk of cancer in populations living close to landfills . More research is needed to quantify the risks and establish any causal links.

Symptoms such as tiredness, sleepiness and headaches have also been reported. Although these symptoms cannot be assumed to be an effect of toxic chemical action, they may indicate that sites can have an impact on stress and anxiety (Environment Agency)

Most of the waste produced in the South West is disposed of to landfill, and most people in Britain live close (within 2 km) to a landfill site (Elliot, et al. British Medical Journal, 2001)

Landfill sites in the South West, with 2km buffer

Source: Environment Agency

Researchers at the University of the West of England set out to answer whether living near a landfill site can affect your health in an article published in 'Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal' (2003).

They concluded that, despite the hundreds of studies on the health impacts of different waste management practices, scientists cannot say that landfills don't affect health with any certainty. Based on evidence available, the review concluded that there was 'insufficient' evidence to say that, incineration, landfill, or landspreading sewage sludge were the cause of any adverse health effects. Living near a centralised composing facility was not shown to cause adverse health effects although working within such a facility could 'possibly' cause health problems. It is also 'probable' that working in sewage treatment plants causes stomach problems and other symptoms. The only clear cut case of cause and effect was that bathing in water which was contaminated by sewage would cause gastrointestinal problems.

Waste management and public health: the state of the evidence (South West Public Health Observatory, 2002) also concluded that there is insufficient evidence to claim that any health outcomes will result from either living or working at or near landfill sites.

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