Air pollution measurements taken in Margam earlier this week show that air-borne particles known as PM10 were higher than European safety limits for the tenth time in 2015.
Black smoke emissions from Port Talbot Steelworks, pictured last year.
The measurements were flagged up in an alert on the DEFRA website, and categorised 9 out of 10 in severity on the government’s air pollution scale. The limit is 50 ugm3 (or 50 microgrammes per cubic metre).
According to Air Quality News, a publication devoted to UK air quality, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council have pinpointed that the particulate matter PM10 came from the direction of the steelworks, and said it is working to inform residents about such incidents through its dedicated air quality website.
A Tata Steel spokesman said: “Tata Steel works closely with NRW and the local authority in monitoring and taking action on the results of the air quality monitors, meeting regularly with representatives of the local community. We take our responsibilities very seriously indeed and action has been taken to manage fugitive dust emissions from the steelworks. This includes process plant technology and measures to manage particulates generated by vehicular activity on the large site. Regularly we engage with the local community in open days and other forums, we have a community helpline and we investigate observations and complaints from local neighbours.”
