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Plans to reduce Leeds cremation emissions harm
Council chiefs in Leeds plan to spend £2.9m to reduce mercury emissions from cremations in the city.
In the first phase of the project, 1.6m will be spent on upgrading cremators at Rawdon to ensure the council meets a government and European Union target to reduce mercury emissions by 50 per cent by 2012.
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Once the work at Rawdon is complete, it will carry out 2,800 cremations
a year.
It is proposed to upgrade Cottingley crematorium in 2016 and Lawnswood in 2018.
An environmental surcharge on cremations was introduced in 2008 to meet the cost of the improvements.
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A report outlining details of the mercury emission reduction plans will be discussed by the council's Executive Board on Wednesday.
The UK is taking the lead on mercury reduction globally and local authorities across the country are taking action to reduce emissions.
Mercury emissions have no significant effect on the environment locally, but the cumulative effect at a national level when they are transported to the sea and absorbed by fish which are then eaten, is a concern.
People, particularly pregnant women, are advised to avoid eating foods with high levels of mercury because of the potential harmful effect.
Historically mercury had a range of uses, particularly in dental fillings which is why, when bodies are cremated, low levels of mercury are released into the atmosphere.
Coun Adam Ogilvie, the council's executive member responsible for crematoria, said: "The Government have set a national target for the 50 per cent reduction of mercury emissions by 2012 and it is important that we make every effort meet this target and keep emissions under control.
"Our approach is to ensure emissions are reduced over the longer term in a planned and regulated way."
Cremations account for 83 per cent of funerals in Leeds compared to 72
per cent nationally and the figure is expected to increase as the population rises.
Leeds City Council is the fifth largest burial authority in the country, dealing with about 5,600 cremations and the creation of 542
new graves every year.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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