Health
safe for our employees and neighbours
There is no history of ill-health arising from the activities of
the cement industry. A new report by the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE),(pdf, 188kb) found that a causal
association between Portland cement exposure and cancer could not
be established.
The Health Protection Agency stated in October 2004 that
"Emissions from cement kilns show a negligible impact on public
health, whether using conventional or substitute fuels, which would
not be detectable through any currently available health
surveillance method." All emissions from works are subject to
authorisation and are closely controlled by the Environment Agency.
The industry continues to monitor health matters and supports
health studies under the Cement Sustainability Initiative.
controlling dust
The industry operates highly efficient dust control systems on
its factories that achieve 99.9% efficiency.
lorry emissions
Vehicle fleets are closely controlled in terms of emissions,
much more vigorously than the UK's millions of cars. As the
industry replaces its fleet, it specifies lowest emission engines
for all new heavy goods vehicles.
keeping it quiet
In terms of noise, all cement-manufacturing operations are
controlled by the Environment Agency and potential noise pollution
carefully monitored. Factory plant is generally fully enclosed and
specific pieces of equipment further sound-proofed as
necessary.
case study
By building in flue gas de-sulphurisation
into the design of its new kiln at Rugby, Cemex UK Cement has
reduced sulphur dioxide emissions by about 95 per cent compared to
those arising from the old cement-making operations on site. Two
main raw material streams are added at different points in the
process so that one, chalk, absorbs the sulphur from the rest of
the feed, virtually eliminating sulphur dioxide emissions. Sulphur
dioxide is one of the so-called greenhouse gases so its removal is
positive for local air quality. The success of the process has won
the company two 'Green Apple Environment Awards'.