Biomass burner not good

I refer to Mr Kerswell's letter, published in the Shropshire Star on June 7, in which he refers to the proposed incinerator in Bishop's Castle. His letter contains much misinformation.

He refers to "green lobbyists" claiming that Bishop's Castle had the poorest air quality in Britain.

Though I am not aware of such a statement, I feel he must be referring to the phenomena called atmospheric inversion. Due to Bishops Castle's geography, air is trapped for several days at a time in the town and surrounding area and thus any emissions are trapped also.

I am sure he must recognise that burning 20,000 plus tonnes of a variety of materials and putting the emissions into such an environment is undesirable.

This "clean burn biomass plant" will emit by-products of sulphur, chlorine and nitrogen, but particularly worrisome are what are known as particulates, one of which is called dioxin.

Dioxin causes various kinds of cancer and the discharge of these micro-particles will settle over an area beneath which is the aquifer which supplies Bishop's Castle and district with water. These particles must in time find their way down to the water table.

Incidentally, these same dioxins will be settling on pastureland currently being grazed by dairy herds.

However, Mr Kerswell seeks to reassure us all is well, because the incinerator "will be subjected to rigorous emission standards by the Environment Agency".

There will be only two tests a year, and for just six hours on each occasion.

Harry Round, Bishop's Castle