The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
1240/5(8271)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY J.H. YOUNG OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 29th APRIL 2014
Question
Would the Minister advise the Assembly whether the crematorium has mercury abatement equipment installed?
In operating the crematorium, does the Health and Social Services Department comply with the requirements of the Process Guidance Note 5/2 (12) "Statutory Guidance for Crematoria" (September 2012) issued in the UK by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs under European Union Directives?
Are air borne emissions monitored for potential pollutants, including mercury compounds, dioxins and furans?
What plans, if any, are there for the future modification or replacement of the crematorium equipment to meet current environmental standards, what is the likely cost of this and has a funding stream been identified?
Answer
The Health and Social Services Department complies with the requirements of the Process guidance Note 5/2 (12) "Statutory Guidance for Crematoria" (September 2012) issued in the UK by the department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs under European Union Directives, in all aspects save one - the Crematorium does not take part in a burden sharing scheme, as there is no other crematorium with which to sensibly burden share.
Like many other crematoria around the UK, Jersey Crematorium has no abatement system and, as such, airborne emissions are not routinely monitored in this way. The Crematorium does, however, meet current environmental standards for its type, it is serviced regularly, and monitored as required by the Process Guidance note.
New Crematoria are now built with abatement systems, a requirement in the UK for Crematoria built from 2006 onwards. Nevertheless, monitoring for mercury compounds, dioxins or furans is not requirement under the Process Guidance note, in respect of unabated crematoria.
It is important to recognise that, compared to most crematoria, the Jersey Crematorium handles a significantly lower number of cremations every year – an average of around 700 per year, compared, for example, with Leeds, which averages around 6000 cremations per year.
It is important to acknowledge that there is no credible or recognised evidence of mercury emissions being linked to increased rates of cancers or other illnesses.
The current crematorium equipment is nowhere near the end of its natural life and there have been no concerns raised by European Union Directives regulators about its safety.
In view of the outstanding lifespan of the crematorium and confidence that it remains safe and fit for purpose for the next two decades, there are no plans at present for the future modification or replacement of the crematorium equipment, no costings for doing so have been sought, nor has an associated funding stream been identified.