Environmental Impact of Foot and Mouth Disease Case Study
Background
The 2001 outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease has affected many parts of the UK but none more so than Cumbria, which has had the highest proportion of infected premises. From the beginning of the outbreak, pyres were used to destroy the animal carcasses however, over time this policy was questioned due to the growing concern about the levels of pollution being emitted from the pyres and their potential impact on human health.
Of particular concern were the potential levels of dioxins being emitted from the materials used to construct the pyres as well as from the combustion of the animal carcasses.
WSC Support for the Crisis
Westlakes Scientfic Consulting were involved in a number of monitoring and modelling studies to assess the impact of pyres on local populations and the environment.
One project used a mobile laboratory equipped with monitoring equipment to measure the levels of air pollutants (SO2, NOx, PM10, dioxins etc.) released from a pyre, to inform local authorities whether the concentrations were reaching harmful levels. Once the fires were out, we continued to provide support by measuring dioxins concentrations in agricultural land downwind from the pyres.
This work coupled with atmospheric dispersion and foodchain modelling produced a risk assessment of the likely levels of dioxins reaching Man through the foodchain and the subsequent implications of re-stocking farms.
Finally, the lifecycle assessment was completed when we were called upon to assess the impact on residents living close to landfill sites due to the disposal of pyre ash.