Dear Supporter I thought it would be helpful to share an e-mail sent to Ealing Councillors, to provide them with background information, in advance of the Full council meeting at Ealing Town Hall on 20th February 2018 at 7.00pm (the petition will be heard at approximately 7.15pm). Dear Chair and Councillors About The Insistent Residents Against Toxic Emissions (IRATE) campaign was established in June 2017 and represents the residents of Hayes, London Borough of Hillingdon and Southall, London Borough of Ealing who have been affected by odourous emissions emanating from the FM Conway asphalt plant situated in Hayes. Aim The aim of the campaign is for FM Conway to be held accountable by the use of legislative powers, for the unacceptable level of emissions from the plant. Objective Our objective is for the London Borough of Ealing or the London Borough of Hillingdon, to issue an Environmental Protection Act (EPA) abatement notice as the plant is not compliant with the requirement of their part B permit to ensure "All emissions to air, other than condensed water vapour, shall be free from persistent fume, droplets and persistent visible emissions" FOI requests for complaints data We strongly contest the accuracy of the complaints data, released under FOI requests for both the London Borough of Ealing and the London Borough of Hillingdon. The frequency of complaints as reported by Ealing appears not to reflect the number of complaints made by two members of IRATE and another member has found that complaints made from his relative’s address is absent from Hillingdon’s reporting data. Communication from the Pollution Technical team to IRATE In an e-mail sent to the IRATE campaign from Ealing’s Pollution Technical team, dated 13th July 2017 it is noted that “Ealing officers believe the main factors driving the fugitive emissions is ultimately the location of the plant, volume of product being processed and the efficiency of the carbon filters/vents (or whole operating system in general). There is now a dataset of complaints from Ealing residents which was compiled for the FOI request, we hope to use this information as evidence of downwind impacts regardless of improvements to Conway made in early 2016.” ​Impact on the Hayes and Southall Communities The FM Conway Ltd asphalt plant in Hayes, opened in 2014 and is located near the elevated section of the A312, close to Tesco Bulls Bridge. Since the opening, residents in Hayes and Southall have complained to both Hillingdon and Ealing councils about the strong mal odour across both areas but of greater significance than the smell, are the health problems that appear to be linked to the air pollution. Residents have reported nausea, vomiting, headaches, throat and eye irritation, new cases of asthma, worsening of existing asthma and other respiratory disorders. There is research to indicate asphalt fumes may be linked to cancer. Public Health Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 59. ASPHALT (BITUMEN) Published by The World Health Organisation in 2004. This document underpins the concern that residents have about the health impact of the emissions. "11.1.4.3 Human studies In situations where individuals from the general population live or work near asphalt production facilities or roofing or paving operations, the potential for dermal and/or respiratory exposure to asphalt fumes and vapours exists. The frequency and concentration of these potential exposures may be lower for the general population than for workers. However, in the general population, there are individuals who may be more sensitive to exposures and therefore exhibit more symptoms or other effects. The extent to which these symptoms occur in the general population has not been studied. 11.1.4.5 Conclusion Studying the possible health effects attributed to chemical mixtures, including resulting fumes and vapours, is complex. Despite the uncertainties, limitations,and mixed study results, what is clear is that asphalt fume condensates produce malignant skin tumours in mice; and that, when exposed to airborne concentrations of asphalt or asphalt fumes and vapours, workers report symptoms of irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat and, in some, lower airway changes and demonstrate metabolism of the chemical constituents of asphalt fumes and vapours. Taken as a whole, these results suggest that effects do occur in mammalian systems and that the limitations or uncertainties should not preclude taking steps to manage human exposures. Under various performance specifications, it is likely that asphalt fumes and paints contain carcinogenic substances." Intervention from John McDonnell MP John McDonnell MP for Hayes And Harlington called upon Hillingdon Council in 2015 to either “force the company to tackle the emissions problem or, failing that, to shut the operation down until it is safe to reopen” and has said that he was extremely fearful for the health and safety of local residents and employees. FM Conway Ltd, have increased the height of their chimney, changed the filter and rerouted vents but this has not resolved the issue, so local residents urge either Ealing Council or Hillingdon council to use their regulatory powers to force FM Conway Ltd, to improve odour control, using both new and existing safety measures. Unless this happens, residents' health and wellbeing will continue to be compromised by an unacceptable level of air pollution. Thank you for your support and if you are local, you may wish to observe proceedings in the public gallery.