The main objective of this paper is to understand the environmental effects on human health

and to evaluate the ramifications of these environmental influences within the town of
Redhill, Surrey. The aim will be to explore certain factors which may bear an impact on the
overall health of individuals and to report the findings of these factors. Two stressors will be
explored, which will include the effects of landfill and road traffic in the local area.
Redhill is situated within the borders of Surrey and falls under the Reigate Banstead
Borough. The town has a population of over 35 000 people according to the UK Populations
Census done in 2011. The majority of inhabitants comprise middle class families living in
moderate suburban semis. There are over 31 schools ranging from nurseries to sixth form
with a total of over 21% of the towns population being under the age of fifteen according to
the same UK Population Census of 2011.
Redhill also houses the Biffa landfill site that extends to over 66 hectares and can accept up
to 700,000 tonnes of waste of non-hazardous household and commercial waste from Surrey,
London and the Home Counties per year. The site has between 400 - 600 HGV movements
a day. Consequently, pedestrians and local residents have to endure noise, fumes,
vibrations and potentially dangerous encounters with large industrial vehicles.
Reigate and Banstead council has identified nine areas with Air Quality Management (AQM)
issues, including Redhill Town Centre which was flagged amongst the nine. Air pollution
testing conducted in these areas, revealed readings higher than the acceptable EU and UK
government limit due to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), a toxic gas that is mainly released from
diesel exhaust fumes. This was in addition to the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission limits also
flagged in the same testing.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) lowers human resistance to respiratory infections whilst also posing
an irritant to the lungs. Individuals suffering from asthma will be sensitive to high levels of
NO2 and are at an increased risk of contracting bronchitis. Apart from impacting humans, air
pollution causes damage to plants and animals, which in itself presents a domino effect on
environmental homeostasis and inevitably on our well-being.

Over 700 complaints were lodged with the Environment Agency in the last six months of
2014 in response to the odour emitted from the landfill in Redhill. Residents have
complained about nausea, headaches and some have even suggested that the problems

reported have had financial repercussions on residential property value. A statement from
Santia, released through Biffa, said: "We have reviewed the community monitoring data
provided by Biffa and from our evaluation of the data, we do not believe that the levels found
there are a risk to human health. Hydrogen sulphide can be detected at very low levels and
at low levels between 0.01 and 1.5 parts per million, a characteristic rotten egg smell is
produced. From a human health perspective, these levels pose no health risks

All the industry standard exposure levels are based on adults (body weight ratios and
increased minute volumes to weight ratios) and none were based on children. The major
route of hydrogen sulphide exposure is through inhalation, the gas is absorbed through the
lungs. Children have a larger lung surface than adults. Children exposed to the same levels
of hydrogen sulphide may receive larger doses. In addition, children in the same location
may receive more due to their shot stature as hydrogen sulphide is heavier than air and can
accumulate in enclosed, low-lying and poorly ventilated areas and have higher levels closer
to the ground.

One of the great benefits of living in Redhill is that one can commute via train to the centre of
London under 40 minutes and to Gatwick airport under 15mins. Due to this benefit more
families with young children are moving to Redhill and surrounding areas seeking the
cleaner country living for their children. According to the 2011 Reigate-Banstead Council
Census more than 21% of Redhills population is children under the age of 15. With East
Surrey Hospital seeing a rise in A&E with respiratory case in children in 2013 according to
East Surrey Hospital annual report.

Reports from the landfills managing company only include references to human health
perspective with no focus on age related evidence. The landfill and the HVG movement to
and from the landfill have a great impact on our everyday living. The air that we breathe
even though its doesnt have an immediate or visible impact it is slowly pilfering us from
clean country living that one strives for ones children to grow up in. The polluted air is
responsible for a domino effect, more people move to the area, more housing is required,
more transport is needed, more household waste, this all is accompanied with more Carbon
Dioxide(CO2) and NO2. More people creates denser housing quarters that allows for

disease to spread more easily, the unhealthier we or children get the greater toll it takes on
our everyday living.

References

Medical Management Guidelines for Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) available at

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mmg/mmg.asp?id=385&tid=67 Accessed on 16 December 2014
Human Health Effects from Exposure to Low-Level Concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide
available at http://ohsonline.com/articles/2007/10/human-health-effects-from-exposure-tolowlevel-concentrations-of-hydrogen-sulfide.aspx Accessed on 16 December 2014
Short-term (also called acute) symptoms and effects of NO2 available at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hydrogensulfide/hazards.html - Accessed on 16 December
2014
Redhill Landfill available at http://www.surreymirror.co.uk/Redhill-landfill-stench-causenuisance-toxic/story-20967971-detail/story.html - Accessed on 17 December 2014
Redhill landfill available at http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/redhill-landfilloperator-biffa-downplays-6846948 - Accessed on 16 December
Redhill Landfill's consultative meeting 24th September 2014 available at
http://www.holmethorpe.org/sites/default/files/pdf_downloads/Redhill-Landfill-Smell-MeetingReport-140924.pdf - Accessed 16 December 2014
Lanfills impact available at
-http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/166946/Tandridge.pdf Accessed
on 16 December 2014
How a landfill site can hit the value of your home - available at
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2003/feb/22/houseprices.uknews - accessed on 16
December 2014
Quality of life in Reigate and Banstead available at - https://www.reigatebanstead.gov.uk/Images/Borough%20Quality%20of%20Life%20Profile%20FINAL
%202_tcm9-48951.pdf accessed on 26 December 2014

Biffa Landfill Site: Your questions for the Community Liaison meeting - available at:
http://redhillgreens.org.uk/2014/03/biffa-landfill-site-your-questions-for-the-communityliaison-meeting/ accessed on 26 December 2014