The HSE has found no evidence of raised levels of cancers among employees at a cement plant in Wales.
A public-health investigation into operations at the Hanson Cement plant in Padeswood, Flintshire was launched in March last year, following concerns raised by the local community.
Residents expressed environmental concerns, including the effect of emissions from the plant, dust, the levels of chemicals released, the environmental monitoring process, and levels of noise and odour associated with the plant. Public-health concerns were also raised, including rates of specific cancers, the age and geographical spread of disease, occupational exposure and local food-production issues.
In response to the concerns, the Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services, Edwina Hart, asked Public Health Wales to work with partner agencies, including the HSE, to investigate the plant’s impact on workers’ and residents’ health.
The HSE, which had the task of examining the risk of occupational-health issues, has now completed its part of the investigation, having found no increased levels of cancer in the workforce over the last 12 years. The regulator considered three concerns: the presence of occupational-health exposures of concern, with reference to dusts and asbestos exposure; whether there was an increased level of cancers in employees, or former employees; and whether health surveillance records could be made available for public scrutiny.
Jane Lassey, the HSE’s head of operations in Wales, said: “We visited the site to review the current controls in place to reduce occupational-health risks from dust and asbestos, and also reviewed historical records of air-monitoring surveys and health checks carried out on employees.
“The evidence from HSE’s investigation indicates that the risks from exposure to hazardous substances are generally well controlled at the site, and current occupational-health provision exceeds what the law requires. During this investigation, HSE found no evidence of raised levels of cancers among employees at the site in the past 12 years.”
Although the HSE confirmed that no further investigation of occupational-health issues are warranted, it warned that, if the manufacturing process changes, the company would need to reassess any resulting risks to the health of its workforce.
A draft final report from Public Health Wales, which includes the HSE’s findings, says there is no evidence the plant has caused health problems for employees, or residents. The final investigation report, which will cover all concerns raised by the local community, is expected to be published in April.
For more information, go to www.publichealthwales.org/hansoncementinvestigation
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