In our small rural adjacent norfolk villages, we had, a couple of weeks back, an incident whereby the whole of the communities were pervaded by a hugely strong, powerful and intolerable stench (described as like domestic oil or paraffin) which filled the air for the best part of the day.
It was reported to the district council environment department which has done exactly nothing to investigate except attempting to scapegoat a small relatively local industry.
In our villages, we are of the opinion that the stench arose from a substance sprayed on a nearby field (there is a direct witness to this). Our local Facebook page was flooded by public concerns about the incident. Yesterday, I did some research and posted the following on that page:
"This post is further to the recent concerns about the toxic stench pervading our village last month. Since both our villages are surrounded by agriculture I thought it would be useful to post some facts about possible air pollution.
This is NOT to pillory our farmers but to alert our small rural community to risks that COULD surround our lives, especially those of our children and those with pulmonary issues.
Information about the substances used by our farmers and landowners should be made transparent.
Here are some of the facts:
The Environment Agency 2019
The main pollutants from farming are:
• nutrients (phosphorus and nitrates)
• chemicals including pesticides, veterinary medicines, and emerging chemicals (such as organic chemicals and anti-microbial resistance found in materials spread to land)
• faecal bacteria and pathogens (all livestock farming and some off farm wastes are sources: further information is available in the faecal and sanitary narrative)
• soil sediment (both arable and livestock farming are significant sources: further. information is available in the fine sediment narrative)
• micro plastics (present in sewage sludge, compost and other organic manures)
Air Pollution from Agriculture (DEFRA)
The main focus is on ammonia, a pollutant largely from agricultural activity and an important contributor to air quality issues in the UK.
The main impacts of ammonia arise through its contribution to (1) formation of particulate matter (PM) and the consequent effects on human mortality and morbidity throughout the UK,…
Nitrogen-containing compounds (NO2, NO, NH3, N2O) are emitted to the atmosphere from agricultural activities. In the case of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O), agricultural sources are the main contributors, comprising 88% and 68% respectively of annual UK emissions in 2016. In addition, agricultural soils are becoming a significant source of nitric oxide (NO)…
The pesticides/fungicides hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorcyclohexane and pentachlorophenol, which are listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, are also emitted from agricultural and forestry use.
A range of pollutant gases, and especially nitrogen compounds (NO2, NO, NH3, N2O) are emitted to the atmosphere from agricultural activities, including fertilizer use,… However, the main contribution to air pollution from agriculture in the UK is due to emissions of ammonia (NH3).
The Royal Society 2018
…ammonia emissions in the UK have been rising since 2013, with significant implications for biodiversity and human health. The agricultural sector is the biggest contributor to ammonia pollution, producing 82 per cent of all UK ammonia emissions in 2016.
