The main objective of this paper is to understand the environmental effects on human health

and to evaluate the ramifications of these environmental influences within the town of

Redhill, Surrey. The aim will be to explore certain factors which may bear an impact on the

overall health of individuals and to report the findings of these factors. Two stressors will be

explored, which will include the effects of landfill and road traffic in the local area.

Redhill is situated within the borders of Surrey and falls under the Reigate Banstead

Borough. The town has a population of over 35 000 people according to the UK Populations

Census done in 2011. The majority of inhabitants comprise middle class families living in

moderate suburban semis. There are over 31 schools ranging from nurseries to sixth form

with a total of over 21% of the town’s population being under the age of fifteen according to

the same UK Population Census of 2011.

Redhill also houses the Biffa landfill site that extends to over 66 hectares and can accept up

to 700,000 tonnes of waste of non-hazardous household and commercial waste from Surrey,

London and the Home Counties per year. The site has between 400 - 600 HGV movements

a day. Consequently, pedestrians and local residents have to endure noise, fumes,

vibrations and potentially dangerous encounters with large industrial vehicles.

Reigate and Banstead council has identified nine areas with Air Quality Management (AQM)

issues, including Redhill Town Centre which was flagged amongst the nine. Air pollution

testing conducted in these areas, revealed readings higher than the acceptable EU and UK

government limit due to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), a toxic gas that is mainly released from

diesel exhaust fumes. This was in addition to the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission limits also

flagged in the same testing.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) lowers human resistance to respiratory infections whilst also posing

an irritant to the lungs. Individuals suffering from asthma will be sensitive to high levels of

NO2 and are at an increased risk of contracting bronchitis. Apart from impacting humans, air

pollution causes damage to plants and animals, which in itself presents a domino effect on

environmental homeostasis and inevitably on our well-being.

Over 700 complaints were lodged with the Environment Agency in the last six months of

2014 in response to the odour emitted from the landfill in Redhill. Residents have

complained about nausea, headaches and some have even suggested that the problems

reported have had financial repercussions on residential property value. A statement from

Santia, released through Biffa, said: "We have reviewed the community monitoring data

provided by Biffa and from our evaluation of the data, we do not believe that the levels found

there are a risk to human health. Hydrogen sulphide can be detected at very low levels and

at low levels between 0.01 and 1.5 parts per million, a characteristic rotten egg smell is

produced. From a human health perspective, these levels pose no health risks”

All the industry standard exposure levels are based on adults (body weight ratios and

increased minute volumes to weight ratios) and none were based on children. The major

route of hydrogen sulphide exposure is through inhalation, the gas is absorbed through the

lungs. Children have a larger lung surface than adults. Children exposed to the same levels

of hydrogen sulphide may receive larger doses. In addition, children in the same location

may receive more due to their shot stature as hydrogen sulphide is heavier than air and can

accumulate in enclosed, low-lying and poorly ventilated areas and have higher levels closer

to the ground.

One of the great benefits of living in Redhill is that one can commute via train to the centre of

London under 40 minutes and to Gatwick airport under 15mins. Due to this benefit more

families with young children are moving to Redhill and surrounding areas seeking the

“cleaner country” living for their children. According to the 2011 Reigate-Banstead Council

Census more than 21% of Redhill’s population is children under the age of 15. With East

Surrey Hospital seeing a rise in A&E with respiratory case in children in 2013 according to

East Surrey Hospital annual report.

Reports from the landfill’s managing company only include references to human health

perspective with no focus on age related evidence. The landfill and the HVG movement to

and from the landfill have a great impact on our everyday living. The air that we breathe

even though it’s doesn’t have an immediate or visible impact it is slowly pilfering us from

”clean country” living that one strives for one’s children to grow up in. The polluted air is

responsible for a domino effect, more people move to the area, more housing is required,

more transport is needed, more household waste, this all is accompanied with more Carbon

Dioxide(CO2) and NO2. More people creates denser housing quarters that allows for

disease to spread more easily, the unhealthier we or children get the greater toll it takes on

our everyday living.

References

Medical Management Guidelines for Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) – available at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mmg/mmg.asp?id=385&tid=67 – Accessed on 16 December 2014

Human Health Effects from Exposure to Low-Level Concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide –

available at http://ohsonline.com/articles/2007/10/human-health-effects-from-exposure-to-

lowlevel-concentrations-of-hydrogen-sulfide.aspx – Accessed on 16 December 2014

Short-term (also called acute) symptoms and effects of NO2 available at -

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hydrogensulfide/hazards.html - Accessed on 16 December

2014

Redhill Landfill – available at http://www.surreymirror.co.uk/Redhill-landfill-stench-cause-

nuisance-toxic/story-20967971-detail/story.html - Accessed on 17 December 2014

Redhill landfill – available at http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/redhill-landfill-

operator-biffa-downplays-6846948 - Accessed on 16 December

Redhill Landfill's consultative meeting 24th September 2014 – available at

http://www.holmethorpe.org/sites/default/files/pdf_downloads/Redhill-Landfill-Smell-Meeting-

Report-140924.pdf - Accessed 16 December 2014

Lanfills impact – available at

-http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/166946/Tandridge.pdf – Accessed

on 16 December 2014

How a landfill site can hit the value of your home - available at

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2003/feb/22/houseprices.uknews - accessed on 16

December 2014

Quality of life in Reigate and Banstead – available at - https://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/Images/Borough%20Quality%20of%20Life%20Profile%20FINAL%202_tcm9-48951.pdf – accessed on 26 December 2014

Biffa Landfill Site: Your questions for the Community Liaison meeting - available at:

http://redhillgreens.org.uk/2014/03/biffa-landfill-site-your-questions-for-the-community-

liaison-meeting/ accessed on 26 December 2014