Quarry ‘a risk to children and wildlife’
CHILDREN using Ladies’ Bay playground and anyone who uses the beaches and common near Chouet could be at risk of serious health issues if quarrying is allowed at the headland, a nearby resident has said.
Sara Woolland said that her research suggests that the work could lead to a range of illnesses, from cancer and cardiopulmonary disease to asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, as well as premature death among people with pre-existing conditions.
She said that the States needed to consider the likely medical costs if the work goes ahead.
A draft development framework has been published for a proposed new granite quarry on the site, to be built in three phases, which potentially could provide enough aggregate for local builders for up to 40 years.
But, said Mrs Woolland, whose family home is close to the site, this would create a lot of dust, some of which is particularly dangerous.
‘Quarrying produces tiny dust particles which can be carried long distances, especially on a windy, exposed site like Chouet where the quarry will be at ground level for many years.’
Her health fears arise from information in a report on the dangers of gravel dust by Ontario Gravel Watch: ‘There is no evidence that English gravel is any less dangerous than that from Canadian gravel pits,’ she said.
The report stated that some of the smaller dust particles produced by quarrying can be inhaled and are considered toxic. Tinier particles are especially dangerous and can lodge deep in the lungs and tissue.
‘The elderly and the young are most affected. Crystalline silica dust is common from processing sand and gravel and is a known carcinogen.’
Mrs Woolland said that after hearing about the quarrying plans and doing the research, she spoke to local doctors: ‘They were pretty confident that the States haven’t done a proper health report,’ she said.
‘If the States looked at the potential cost of medical bills they’re going to be facing it will probably make the quarry almost unviable.
‘We’re just pushing for the proper cost benefit analysis to be done.’
She has started a Facebook group – Chouet Headland Quarry: Have Your Say – in an effort to make people aware of the risks of the work and to gather their views.
As well as the threat to health, wildlife in the area is at risk, she added.
While long-eared owls are known to breed in the area, a Facebook message said that Chouet headland is the only local breeding site for the brown argus butterfly and also supported species like the green tiger beetle.
Mrs Woolland said that with people becoming more aware of environmental risks, it was important to take account of the evidence.: ‘You’ve got to change your position with the science,’ she said, referring to the increasing concern over plastics and diesel fuel as examples.
Director of environmental health and pollution regulation Tobin Cook said that the department had been consulted on the DDF and is to submit a formal response to Planning.
But this was an early stage of the planning process and the DDF has given a high-level overview of factors that will need to be considered if the proposal moves forward.
‘Within the framework document it has highlighted that an environmental impact assessment would be needed if this matter progressed to a planning application being considered.
‘The EIA would need to consider a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, air pollution, noise and vibration from the site and the operations.’
Mr Cook said it would be the applicant’s responsibility to highlight how all of these issue could be addressed in a way that would not be detrimental to health or the environment.
‘In the event that this matter progresses to this stage, then our office will continue to be part of the consultation process and we would review any technical submissions and provide feedback accordingly.’
