Hydrogen Cyanide gas deaths and the long term risks to large numbers of people living and working on the Thames flood plain.
Residents in Thames Valley constituencies are not being protected from the toxins that are released from landfill when it floods. Dumped waste which can generate highly dangerous chemicals and gases (such as hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulphide) were dumped in landfill sites in the early 20th century. Many of these sites were in old gravel pits along the sides of the Thames and nothing is being done to warn people or to put in place an action plan to detect existing problems and deal with them. When there is no flood water there are still risks to local home owners of incremental poisoning which can cause illnesses such as cancer but during flooding the risk of concentrated gas release from landfill is hugely increased and can kill immediately.
There is a need for a programme of work including...
1) The overlaying of landfill maps with flood risk maps to identify areas of concern (see photo)
2) Thorough testing of the soil content of historic landfill
3) Identification of initiatives to prevent the flooding of landfill sites such as local flood barriers and impermeable membranes.
4) Measures to ensure that local authorities alert landowners to hazards
5) Reassessment of advice to householders at times of flood such as the use of sandbags over airbricks.
6) Bringing forward life saving urgent flood prevention work.
The flooding of Egham, Wraysbury and Datchet in January and February 2014 was some of the worst flooding in the country and scientists are clearly saying that we should expect more extreme weather and flooding in coming years. Those villages have numerous landfill sites; they are in the constituency of Windsor which also has the “highest number and percentage of properties in areas at high risk of flooding” (Environment Agency). I have counted at least 12 ‘historic’ land fill sites on the Windsor section of the flood plain and 4 newer licenced sites. Windsor is part of the “largest area of undefended floodplain in England;” (Environment Agency). Many people mistakenly repeat that 2014 was a 1 in a 100 year event, it was not, it was a 1 in 20 year event. The deeper flooding of 1947 was a 1 in 100 year event.
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There is a need for a programme of work including...
1) The overlaying of landfill maps with flood risk maps to identify areas of concern (see photo)
2) Thorough testing of the soil content of historic landfill
3) Identification of initiatives to prevent the flooding of landfill sites such as local flood barriers and impermeable membranes.
4) Measures to ensure that local authorities alert landowners to hazards
5) Reassessment of advice to householders at times of flood such as the use of sandbags over airbricks.
6) Bringing forward life saving urgent flood prevention work.
The flooding of Egham, Wraysbury and Datchet in January and February 2014 was some of the worst flooding in the country and scientists are clearly saying that we should expect more extreme weather and flooding in coming years. Those villages have numerous landfill sites; they are in the constituency of Windsor which also has the “highest number and percentage of properties in areas at high risk of flooding” (Environment Agency). I have counted at least 12 ‘historic’ land fill sites on the Windsor section of the flood plain and 4 newer licenced sites. Windsor is part of the “largest area of undefended floodplain in England;” (Environment Agency). Many people mistakenly repeat that 2014 was a 1 in a 100 year event, it was not, it was a 1 in 20 year event. The deeper flooding of 1947 was a 1 in 100 year event.
MORE INFORMATION