[USCC] Buffer Distances?

Tue Jun 2 11:06:22 CDT 2009

Hi Ron,

Buffer distance guidance in Ireland have been given using bioaerosols rather than odour (odour usually "should not cause nuisance"). The Irish EPA uses draft guidance of 250M based on bioaerosol mitigation using UK guidance as follows;

"For Composting Operations, site design should provide mitigation measures to prevent the release of Bioaerosols. Based on Environment Agency (England and Wales) research (2001) a distance of 250m between residential areas or other sensitive receptors and composting operations should be provided to ensure that the airborne concentration of Bioaerosols at sensitive receptors is reduced to ambient background levels, thereby reducing the risk of health effects from Bioaerosols." BAT GUIDANCE NOTES FOR THE WASTE SECTOR: WASTE TREATMENT ACTIVITIES DRAFT NOVEMBER 2003 

The UK reference document (attached to this email) indicates that the 250M distance is site- and technology-dependant so better technology leads to better mitigation so distances can be reduced - see interpretation below.

"The UK Environment Agency's position is that there will be a presumption against permitting [and to object to any planning application] of any new composting process [or any modification to an existing process] where the boundary of the facility is within 250 metres of a workplace or the boundary of a dwelling, unless the application is accompanied by a site-specific risk assessment, based on clear, independent scientific evidence which shows that the bioaerosol levels are and can be maintained at appropriate levels at the dwelling or workplace. The Agency will continue to work with others to identify appropriate controls measures that may allow operations to take place within 250 metres of the boundary or a dwelling/workplace. 

Most published studies indicate that bioaerosols are reduced to background within the 250 m distance prescribed by the Environment Agency for risk assessment purposes. (Some experimental studies and dispersion modelling exercises suggest that bioaerosols sometimes may exceed concentrations chosen as background levels at distances greater than 250 m). 

There is no published evidence that exposure to bioaerosols disseminated from compost facilities cause respiratory ill health in residents or workers at nearby locations, or that the greater than background bioaerosol levels which may occur under anticipated conditions represent a significant excess risk."

I can't post PDFs to this list serve but can email on request. The reference documents are;

*         BAT GUIDANCE NOTES FOR THE WASTE SECTOR: WASTE TREATMENT ACTIVITIES DRAFT NOVEMBER 2003 Irish EPA

*         SIM 03/2003/58 Bioaerosols in Composting Sites - Previously SIM 06/2003/09 Health and Safety Executive Sector Information Minute Manufacturing SIM 03/2003/58 (formerly 06/2003/09) Cancellation Date 10/11/2007 Open Government Status Fully Open Version No & Date 1: 10/11/2003 Author Unit/Section Manufacturing Sector Target Audience: All FOD Inspectors with Waste Management responsibilities BIOAEROSOLS IN COMPOSTING SITES 

*         AGENCY POSITION ON COMPOSTING AND HEALTH EFFECTS This paper sets out the Agency's position on the health effects from composting any waste type. The position will be effective from 13th August 2001 released both internal and external to the Agency in the Agency's Technical Guidance on Composting Facilities, in order to clarify key issues for consistency and transparency. (may have been updated since)

Best regards 

Conor McGovern, 
Organics manager, 
Market Development Programme for waste resources, 
West Pier Business Campus, 
Dún Laoghaire, 
Co Dublin, Ireland.
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-----Original Message-----
From: alexassoc at earthlink.net [mailto:alexassoc at earthlink.net] 
Sent: 01 June 2009 10:03
To: 'Compost Discussion List'
Subject: [USCC] Buffer Distances?

Hello Compost World,

Does anyone out there know if a study has been done determining the

'typical' buffer distance between composting facilities and their neighbors

(odor receptors)?

Thanks,

Ron

Ron Alexander

R. Alexander Associates, Inc.

1212 Eastham Drive

Apex, NC 27502

USA

919-367-8350

919-367-8351 fax

alexassoc at earthlink.net

www.alexassoc.net 

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