Environment Agency Data on H2S levels, on, and around the landfill
Thank you
Thank you to all who attended the community drop-in session on 9 May 2024.
We heard from the Local Authority, the Environment Agency (“the EA”), UK Health Security Agency, Potters Midlands Limited, Councillors, and lots of residents.
We were grateful for the opportunity, to hear first-hand the resident’s concerns. Please be assured that we have listened and continue to take action.
The EA’s findings on Odour
The EA continues to assess the landfill for odour, and since 12 April 2024 it has not detected any beyond the permit boundary.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) levels on site
At the drop-in session we were asked, if we would share the data collected pertaining to Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) levels with the community.
On 17 May 2024 we received the EA’s H2S data (for which we are grateful), and are pleased to share exactly what was given to us, in this newsletter.
The EA’s Data on H2S Levels
The EA has taken H2S readings using a Jerome, a specialist piece of equipment, for identifying H2S gas, 4 times since 12 April 2024.
Visits to the landfill are unannounced. We do not know when or if the EA will attend site, or the areas around the site.
Health and Safety Executive limits for the control of H2S
The Health and Safety Executive (“HSE”) sets limits for the control of hazardous substances in the air. They are known as workplace exposure limits and are set to help protect the health of workers who may be exposed to such substances.
H2S has a workplace exposure limit of 5 parts per million (“ppm”) based on average exposure over 8 hours, you can read HSE’s guidance on here.
H2S has only been detected beyond the permit boundary, by the EA, on one occasion. It was detected at 3.39 parts per billion (“ppb”), which is 0.00339 parts per million (“ppm”), so significantly below HSE guidance.
EA’s data for each of its unannounced site visits, after 14 April 2024:
If H2S has been found on the site itself, it has been at levels well below those considered to be harmful to human health. The highest reading of H2S taken from within the landfill site, by the EA, at the most recent site visit is 0.172 parts per million, which is 3.4% of HSE guidance workplace exposure limit for H2S.
EA’s data collected on 14 May, from within the boundary of the landfill, not outside it:
The EA takes three readings at each location, the three columns denote each of those readings.
May 2024 Newsletter Update
We understand that some concerns may remain in the community around the landfill. We are keen for any concerns to be addressed, as clearly, and as effectively, as possible.
We have arranged for a community drop-in session.
We hope that the drop-in session will provide the community with an excellent opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions that it may have about the landfill, directly with representatives from:
1. The Landfill
2. The Environment Agency
3. The Local Authority
4. UK Health Security Agency
The meeting will be held at:
On 9 May 2024 at 5:30pm – 6:30pm
We look forward to seeing you there.
April 2024 Newsletter
Dear Resident,
As operators of the landfill site at Redhill, we are writing to acknowledge concerns around odour believed to be coming from the site and the steps we are taking to address this.
We take all odour complaints very seriously.
How Landfill Works
There has been an active landfill on the site at Redhill since 1994.
Landfills are separated into cells. Each cell is lined at the bottom, and the sides to prevent any of the landfill materials from escaping into the ground. Once they are full, cells are capped and the ground above it restored in a manner in keeping with the natural environment around it.
Seven cells at the landfill at Redhill have already been filled, capped and restored.
By 2030 the landfill is likely to have been completely filled and restored.
The landfill at Redhill, like every landfill in the country does, from time to time, generate an odour. This comes from gas created by waste degrading.
The area of the landfill most likely to generate odours are the uncapped cells. Cells cannot be capped until they have been filled and covered.
Managing Gas And Odour On Site
Gas is collected and taken off the site though a system of pipes and wells. The gas collected from the landfill is used as energy.
Gases produced on site are actively monitored:
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At the point of collection.
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At other key points around the pipe network.
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By personal monitors worn by all landfill staff, working on the site.
We conduct recorded site checks twice a day and implement the best available techniques to control odour on site. Our data, and the data collected by independent experts, shows that odour is not leaving the landfill in an unmanaged way.
No Impact On Health
We want to reassure you that the presence of landfill gas and the level of odour at the site is not harmful to your health.
In 30 years of operation at Redhill, no gas reading has ever been cause for concern.
There is no scenario, no matter how remote, where gases produced by the site at Redhill can be harmful to human health.
Next Steps
We have been working with the Environment Agency to agree a plan of action to address concerns about odour around the site.
The landfill at Redhill has cells that have been filled and covered but are yet to be capped.
The weather at Redhill in the last six months has been especially poor and capping cannot begin until the weather is dry enough. We expect capping to start on site in June 2024, and it should be completed by September 2024.
In the interim, extra odour reduction measures have been put in place, such as drilling additional wells into the area to be capped, so that gases can be captured and removed off site.
If you have an odour complaint, or any other feedback, please feel free to contact us directly on environmental@rhcl.uk. We are here to help.