Database

Evidence from: S Hannett. Journal of Environmental Law (2006) Vol 18 No 2, 313–322 “Significant United Kingdom Environmental Cases January–December 2005” Circular Facilities (London) Ltd v Sevenoaks District Council [2005] EWHC 865 (Admin); [2005] Env LR 35 Andrews v Reading Borough Council [2005] EWHC 256 (QBD) (Queen’s Bench Division, Calvert-Smith J, 7 February 2005) Further detail: 6#3-4 10

Evidence from: “Recycling” Increased commercial recycling activity is anticipated. For example the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations [currently in draft form; due to come into force on 1/1/2007] will increase the volume of collection, dismantling and disposal work. Hazards include manual handling, implosion (CRT screens), toxic metals, and PCBs. Comment Thus far, much of the exposure to toxins in the recycling and disposal of electronic goods has been exported to third world countries.

Evidence from: HSE Horizon Scanning Initiative June 2006. “New and Emerging Pests” In this report, “pests” refers to flora, fauna or diseases. New and emerging pests which were previously unknown or rare in the UK could appear or appear more often as a result of climate change, migration, transport of people and transport of goods including livestock and food products. Climate change would probably increase the habitat range of insects from the continent to the UK or increase the range of insects currently limited to the south of the country. Such insects may spread disease e.g. chikungunya or may damage ecosystems, especially if there are no naturally occurring predators. A warmer climate, especially milder winters, would increase the numbers of endemic insects e.g. aphids, that survive the winter, leading to greater damage to plants. The duty of care related human health related consequences of new pests may be direct, e.g. contact with disease vectors or indirect e.g. in

The report provides a review of the known health effects of exposure to low levels of ozone. People with asthma are vulnerable to increases in symptoms. People with other respiratory disease are less affected. Ozone also does damage to property. Evidence from: US Environment Protection Agency Feb 2006. “Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants” Further detail: 6#3-4 7

Evidence from: Environment Agency Press Release June 2006. “Homeowners warned over domestic oil tank usage” The Environment Agency report that oil from domestic sources is the most frequently identified source of oil pollution. There are an estimated 1 million domestic storage tanks in use but many do not have a bunding system in place (bunding is now usually integral to the storage tank). The press release states that some insurance policies will only pay out when oil damages the house or any adjacent property. When a spill is contained within the garden, the homeowner is left to foot the clean-up bill. Fines are applicable to situations where oil contaminates drinking water supplies (limit £20,000); leaving an oil spill to self remediate may not be a sensible option. The report continues: “It would only take one litre of oil to contaminate one million litres of drinking water if it entered a water source and so the Environment Agency is urging homeowners to be more

The study found no elevation of risk of non-ideal pregnancy outcome in women who were occupationally exposed to pesticides and whose pregnancies exceeded 4 months. Evidence from: JL Zhu et al. J Occ Env Med (2006) Vol. 48 p 347 – 352 “Occupational Exposure to Pesticides and Pregnancy Outcomes in Gardeners and Farmers: A Study Within the Danish National Birth Cohort” There was a higher rate of very preterm births in gardeners. Prematurity was caused by rupture of membranes (possibly linked to pregnancy diabetes), preeclampsia and malformation of the uterus. Exposure to pesticides was not associated with any adverse outcome. Further detail: 6#3-4 5