Kirkheaton firm Electrical Waste Recycling Group admits mercury leaks

Nov 24 2009 By Joanne Douglas

“This means that fugitive emissions of mercury vapour and dust containing mercury are likely to be escaping your site.”

The notice added that air testing around the site showed vapour levels were higher than the guideline limit. The agency also found waste was being stored outside designated areas, including in open containers.

Electrical Waste Recycling was ordered to investigate why emissions exceeded the agreed level and to carry out tests to prove it has dealt with the problem. It was also ordered to move waste into the agreed areas.

Mild symptoms of mercury poisoning include chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. But in severe cases it can cause fatal brain and kidney damage.

An Environment Agency spokesman said at the time: “Extensive soil sampling has been carried out around the plant and levels of mercury do not pose an unacceptable risk to the health of site workers or the general public.”

One former employee has said she had left the company after getting worrying urine test results.

She said: “My mercury levels were double the levels not uncommonly found in someone who worked with mercury.

“I had only worked there for seven weeks, in an admin role, in the office – not with any machinery or fluorescent tubes.”

Recorder David Wilby QC was told the sentence hearing was expected to take a full day and informed all parties that it would be listed for January 14.