There are two industrial facilities nearby that residents believe may be responsible for the ash – the Viridor incinerator and Celsa Steel plant
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has opened an investigation into the source of mystery ash raining down on parts of Cardiff after residents raised health concerns.
The Cardiffian reported last week that residents concerns have increased after they began sharing their experiences of ash coating their cars and bins.
After being made aware of our story Cardiff Council Leader Huw Thomas contacted the Council’s Shared Regulatory Service (SRS) and internal Air Quality team on Thursday.
The SRS confirmed it has received no complaints and the Air Quality team has not spotted any noticeable changes in the past few weeks.
Residents say it has been happening for years, so it is unlikely that there would be a noticeable change within this time.
Councillor Thomas contacted the NRW Head of Operations for South Wales Central who then asked their Environmental Management team to investigate.
A spokesperson for the NRW said: “We are investigating reports of ash deposits in the Splott and Tremorfa areas and are checking industrial sites that we regulate to try and find the source.”
Viridor got in touch with The Cardiffian soon after the investigation began.
Danielle Flanagan, a spokesperson from Viridor, said: “Trident Park Energy Recovery Facility holds an environmental permit issued by Natural Resources Wales; upon receipt of your enquiry we have further demonstrated our compliance with the set parameters of the permit to the NRW.”
CELSA Steel UK have not responded to a series of questions sent to them:
- How often is the CELSA Steel UK furnace cleaned?
- What action do you take to prevent ash and dust escaping into the nearby neighbourhood?
- How many complaints have you received from local residents?
Since The Cardiffian’s story several more residents have come forward with their concerns.
Jo Willis-Thompson, who lives on Mervyn Road, said: “This has been happening for years. I am a person who likes a window open even with the heating on, but this has become literally impossible.
“The steelworks causes pollution and I’ve no doubt in my mind it’s having a detrimental impact on residents’ health in the area. Any item left outside – bins, cars, plants and even swimming pools in the summer are a magnet for the dust.
“I’ve lived here for 20 years and this has become progressively worse.”
Kirsty Taher who lives on Greenbay Road, said: “I get large amounts of dust that enter my home every day. It definitely comes from the steel works and is sometimes a yellow orange colour at times.
“For the safety of the public I would love it to be investigated.”
Another resident of Greenbay Road, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s hard to capture the ash on the ground but on vehicles, window sills etc. it is easier to see. I have to clean twice a week, it is like I’m living on a polluted main road.”
If anyone has any further information or would like to report any incidents then please call the NRW on 0300 065 3000 or report it online on their website.
