Government scientists to examine town tip for health risks
It's over gas escaping from the site near Calne
Government scientists are examining whether gas escaping from a tip on the edge of a Wiltshire town poses a public health risk.
The UK Health Security Agency is tasked with protecting people from external health threats such as infectious diseases, chemicals, radiation and environmental hazards.
Now, they will conduct an independent assessment to determine whether gas leaks at Lower Compton landfill, near Calne, pose a risk to the public.
The tip has been confirmed as the source of the so-called Calne Stink – described by residents as eggy, gassy, sulphurous, stagnant or sewage‑like, often strong enough to get into homes with windows closed.
Back in April, the Environment Agency pinned down the source of the smell to a particular ‘cell’ of buried waste after receiving more than 1,000 complaints in a month.
They ordered tip operator Hills Waste Solutions to ‘cap’ the cell – which was emitting hydrogen sulphide and methane – by covering it with a thick layer of clay.
The site has been under constant monitoring by the Environment Agency ever since.
Now the UKSHA has said it will be examining data collected at the tip by the Environment Agency over the past six months.
That data will be used to determine whether the gas poses a risk – rather than a nuisance – to public health.
The findings will be shared with the public.