No health risk in refinery odours says Public Health Wales (From Gazette Series)

No health risk in odours from Milford Haven's Murco refinery says Public Health Wales

12:30pm Monday 26th July 2010 in News

Sulphurous odours emanating from Milford Haven's Murco Refinery are not a serious health risk, according to Wales' health advice service.

A disruption to the external power supply last Tuesday led to a complete power failure at the refinery and caused a small fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The refinery is now in the process of restarting. During this time there is likely to be slightly higher than normal flaring, which is a standard part of the restarting process.

Public Health Wales is working with the Health Protection Agency; Hywel Dda Health Board; Environment Agency Wales; Pembrokeshire County Council and Murco Refinery to monitor the situation.

Since Wednesday's fire, a number of complaints have been received from local residents, who say an unpleasant smell is coming from the refinery.

Huw Brunt, Consultant in Environmental Public Health for Public Health Wales, said that, although the odours could be unpleasant for the refinery's neighbours, they were not likely to interfere with their health.

“Sulphur containing chemicals often have a distinctive unpleasant smell and irritant effect at concentrations significantly below the levels which would harm human health,” said Mr Brunt.

“At this stage, there is no reason to believe that there is any risk of serious health effects associated with odours from the refinery, but they may well cause a nuisance to those living nearby.

He added that the refinery was working to develop and implement a programme which would would monitor levels of sulphurous emissions during the restart process.

This would be validated by the Environment Agency Wales as the regulator, and the other organisations involved.

In the meantime if people are concerned about their health they should contact their GP for advice, or call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647.