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The Lethal Threat of Fracking Landfills

18/1/2015

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Nearly a year ago, at the height of the UK floods, on 8th February 2014, tragedy struck an ordinary family in Chertsey, Surrey, when water rose in their home and suddenly all were taken ill. Zane, a beautiful bright 7-year-old boy who had just won his green stripe belt at martial arts class, and who was described by his headmaster as a “larger than life” figure, died that night. Both his parents were taken ill, and his father, Kye, remains paralysed from the waist down.

The cause of death and harm remains unknown nearly a year later. Initial reports suggesting carbon monoxide poisoning from water pumps were later discounted. But firemen at the scene detected hydrogen cyanide, later confirmed by Public Health England.

The family discovered their home was built next to an old and potentially toxic landfill site that the Environment Agency knew about, ordering gas-proof membranes to protect their own staff when they built cabins nearby.

This week, the family told Talk Fracking that the authorities, including the Environment Agency, have been “walls of silence”.

In response to questions about climate change, the Met Office confirmed that the flooding was “consistent with what is expected from the fundamental physics of a warming world”, thus increasing the potential dangers that flooding could compromise more landfill sites.

In a recent submission to the Environmental Audit Commission, researcher and consultant Paul Mobbs analyses the water treatment and waste management associated with fracking. He forecasts a 50% increase in hazardous waste landfill, a staggering quarter of a million tonnes.

In December, Talk Fracking gave the Government some Christmas reading in the form of scientific reports on the health dangers of fracking. They included the Government’s own scientific advisor warning that fracking could join historic scandals such as asbestos, thalidomide, and lead in petrol.

Energy Minister, Matthew Hancock replied to Talk Fracking this week, citing two reports, one a three-year old study by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the other by Public Health England. In his reply he concedes that both reports call for effective regulation and strong enforcement to bring the health, safety and environmental risks to a low level.

With the proposed massive expansion of this new industry across the country, and the many known and accepted risks, including the landfill issues highlighted by Paul Mobbs, you would expect a responsible Government to increase Environment Agency staff accordingly. In one of the reports Matthew Hancock used in his defence, the Royal Academy stated that “regulatory capacity must be maintained”. But just two days after Zane’s sad death, news of 25% staff cuts hit the headlines.

Frontline services, according to Chris Smith, the then head of the EA, wouldn’t be affected by cuts, even while the agency was already struggling, calling nearly a fifth of frontline staff in from other teams in order to cope with the flooding.

Chris Smith now heads the “independent” Shale Gas Task Force, where he earns around £1500 a day, funded by fracking companies.

The new head of the Agency is Sir Phillip Dilley, earning £100k for 3 days a week work. He used to head the engineering firm, Arup, and is still listed as a trustee. Arup was employed by the leading fracking company, Cuadrilla (whose chairman Lord Browne sat as an advisor in the Cabinet).

It’s also been recently revealed that the EA pension fund invests in the very fracking companies it is supposed to regulate.

The Environment Agency has just issued Cuadrilla with a brand new permit for drilling in Lancashire

Zane’s family don’t trust the Environment Agency. Do you?

You can find links to more info and help the family by signing their petition at: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/call-for-a-public-debate-into-the-death-of-7-year-old-zane


Original Article on Talk Fracking


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Environment Secretary demands action over death of Chertsey boy

5/1/2015

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The Environment Secretary has ordered tests to find out if toxic floodwater killed a 7-year-old boy from Chertsey.

Zane Gbangbola died at his home during last February's floods.

A post-mortem proved inconclusive, but a pathologist said he had been killed by carbon monoxide poisoning although no evidence was found and this raises more questions than answers.

His parents, Kye & Nicole believe he died from hydrogen cyanide poisoning from a nearby landfill site.

Ms Truss has now demanded action after meeting with the parents in November.
 
She has written to Paul Leinster, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, formally asking him to test the lake on the landfill site yards from the family home.

Writing to Kye and Nicole's local MP, Kwasi Kwateng, she said: "As a parent I am extremely saddened to hear in our recent meeting more details about this tragic case…
 
"It is clear that on the face of it a number of institutions have some important questions to answer and I was concerned to learn about the slow progress that has been made by a number of bodies in getting to the bottom of what happened."
 
She said she had ordered the Environment Agency to "take a number of actions" and also ensured the Attorney General was made aware of the case.
 
"Firstly, testing of the nearby lake for chemical toxins, including chemicals that react with water to release hydrogen cyanide gas. The Agency will be happy to share details of the methodology, equipment and results," she wrote.
 
"Second, to investigate the parents' criticism of poor communication from local Agency staff."
 
She added: "Third, unless prohibited by law, that the Environment Agency share as much information as possible on this case with the family."

Responding to Ms Truss's letter, Zane's father Kye said: "This is what we have been calling now for 11 months, for the land to be tested behind our home.
 
"It has been that long and still we have no date for an inquest, no cause of death, and no answers over how our son died.
 
 "We have not even been allowed to step foot back in our own home until gas proof membranes, ventilation works and gas detection alarms, are completed to provide the protection that the Environment Agency have on their neighbouring property.

"The Environment Agency protected their property five years ago without telling any neighbours. We couldn't even pick up some of Zane's belongings as it is a health risk due to the landfill gases still leaking into the Victorian property."

At first, police believed Zane died from carbon monoxide poisoning but his parents say this is impossible as their house was fully electric.

Kye said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has thrown out the police Carbon Monoxide applications and there needs to be a focus on the actual evidence as we have always said from the outset."

He added: "I am glad that Ms Truss is doing something about it. The government needs to ensure British people something like this never happens again. We have lost a son - yet thousands of other people may unknowingly be at risk.
 
"There needs to be an urgent inquiry not just into why Zane died, but into historical landfill sites in the UK and the consequences of them being flooded.
 
"Anyone who knew our Zane will know exactly why we need to get to the truth. He was a incredibly bright, generous, happy and life-loving boy who had such a wonderful future ahead of him. We cannot let his death be in vain."
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