AIR QUALITY AND ODOUR CONTENTS Shelton Road, Corby Energy from Waste Facility 8. AIR QUALITY AND ODOUR 8.1 Introduction This chapter of the ES presents the findings of an assessment of local air quality impacts associated with the Proposed Development. The potential impacts of the Proposed Development on local air quality during both construction and operational phases have been assessed. For both phases, the type, source and significance of potential impacts are identified and the measures that should be employed to minimise these impacts are described. The plant utilises two trains equipped with furnaces, boilers and abatement plant, burning RDF. The exhaust gases will be vented via two 75m stacks. The pollutants of interest for the Proposed Development are primarily those set out in the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) (Ref 8.1) (See Section 8.4.4): particulate matter (as PM10 and PM2.5); gaseous and vaporous organic substances, expressed as total organic carbon (VOC); hydrogen chloride (HCl); hydrogen fluoride (HF); sulphur dioxide (SO2); oxides of nitrogen (NOx), the sum of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), expressed as NO2; twelve metals: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr) (as CrIII and CrVI), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), thallium (Tl) and vanadium(V); polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo furans (collectively referred to as dioxins); and carbon monoxide (CO). In addition, emissions of ammonia (NH3) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) will also be considered, for the following reasons. NH3 is of interest in relation to impacts on habitats, both directly and as a component of acid and nutrient nitrogen deposition. PAH, as benzo[a]pyrene, is subject to a statutory air quality standard Consideration was given to the emissions of dust during construction and from handling of bottom ash; and odour during operation. In relation to impacts on sensitive ecology, the potential impacts associated with emissions of NH3, NOX, SO2 and HCl have been assessed both through impacts on air quality and through deposition of acid and nutrient nitrogen. Predicted ground-level concentrations and derived deposition rates of these pollutants are compared with relevant air quality standards and guidelines for the protection of health and sensitive habitat sites. 8.2 Scope of Assessment The 2016 ES concluded that the impact of stack emissions on air quality from the Consented Development would be negligible (for all pollutants studied); that there would be negligible risk of pollutant exceedances at critical habitats; and negligible odour impact. The different technology and stack height for the Proposed Development has the potential to give rise to different air quality impacts than presented in the 2016 ES. In accordance with the Scoping Report (Appendix 3.1), an updated assessment has been provided in relation to the following: www.erm.com Version: 1.0 Project No.: 0488636 Client: Corby Ltd. 28 February 2019 Page 8-1 AIR QUALITY AND ODOUR CONTENTS Shelton Road, Corby Energy from Waste Facility detailed assessment of stack emissions. This includes a screening assessment for potential impacts on sensitive habitats (as there are nationally designated sites and Natura 2000 sites located within 15km of the site); long-term, operational traffic emissions; dust emissions from bottom ash and handling of air pollution control residues. The construction dust and traffic assessments have been reviewed; however, since the construction method is very similar to that for the Consented Development, minor and non-material changes have been made. Also, the level of odour emissions and abatement is very similar between the Proposed Development and Consented Development, so there are no material changes to the 2016 assessment. Air quality effects associated with the infrequent use back up engines have been scoped out from the assessment. 8.3 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 8.3.1 Guidance The air quality impact assessment (AQIA) has been undertaken with reference to applicable guidance documents. These include: Environment Agency (accessed December 2018) Air emissions risk assessment for your environmental permit (Ref 8.2); Environment Agency (2014) AQTAG06 Technical guidance on detailed modelling approach for an appropriate assessment for emissions to air (Ref 8.3); Environment Agency (undated) Conversion Ratios for NOX and NO2 (Ref 8.4); Environment Agency (2016) Releases from waste incinerators: Guidance on assessing group 3 metal stack emissions from incinerators (Ref 8.5); Institute of Air Quality Management (2017) Land-Use Planning & Development Control: Planning For Air Quality (Ref 8.6); and Defra (2016) Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance (TG16) and associated Defra LAQM Guidance (Ref 8.7). 8.3.2 Construction Phase Methodology 8.3.2.1 Introduction To assess the potential impacts associated with dust and PM10 releases during the construction phase and to determine any necessary mitigation measures, an assessment based on the latest guidance from the Institute of Air Quality Management1 has been undertaken. This approach divides construction activities into the following dust emission sources: demolition; earthworks; construction; and trackout. The risk of dust effects (low, medium or high) is determined by the scale (magnitude) and nature of the works and the proximity of sensitive human and ecological receptors. 1 Guidance on the assessment of dust from demolition and construction, IAQM, February 2014 www.erm.com Version: 1.0 Project No.: 0488636 Client: Corby Ltd. 28 February 2019 Page 8-2 AIR QUALITY AND ODOUR CONTENTS Shelton Road, Corby Energy from Waste Facility The IAQM guidance recommends that an assessment be undertaken where there are sensitive human receptors: within 350 m of the Site boundary; or within 50 m of the route(s) used by construction vehicles on the public highway, up to 500 m from the Site entrance(s). An assessment should also be carried out where there are dust-sensitive ecological receptors: within 50 m of the Site boundary; or within 50 m of the route(s) used by construction vehicles on the public highway, up to 500 m from the Site entrance(s). The significance of the dust effects is based on professional judgement, taking into account the sensitivity of receptors and existing air quality. 8.3.2.2 Dust Emission Magnitude The magnitude of the dust impacts for each source is classified as Small, Medium or Large depending on the scale of the proposed works. Table 8.1 summarises the IAQM criteria that may be used to determine the magnitude of the dust emission. These criteria are used in combination with site- specific information and professional judgement. Table 8.1 Dust Emission Magnitude Criteria Source Large Medium Small Demolition Total building Total building volume Total building volume volume >50,000m3 20,000-50,000m3 <20,000m3 Potentially dusty Potentially dusty Construction material Material (e.g. concrete) material with low potential for dust release Onsite crushing and Demolition activities 10- Screening 20m above ground Demolition activities level. <10m above ground Demolition level activities >20m above ground level. Demolition during wetter months Earthworks Total site Total site area 2,500- Total site area area >10,000m2 10,000m2 <2,500m2 Potentially dusty soil Moderately dusty soil Soil type with large type (e.g. clay) type (e.g. silt) grain size (e.g. sand) >10 heavy earth moving 5 – 10 heavy earth <5 heavy earth moving vehicles active at any moving vehicles active vehicles active at any one time at any one time one time Formation of Formation of bunds 4- Formation of bunds bunds >8m in height 8m in height <4m in height Total material Total material moved Total matieral moved moved >100,000 tonnes 20,000-100,000 tonnes <20,000 tonnes Earthworks during wetter months Construction Total building Total building volume Total building volume volume >100,000m3 25,000 – 100,000m3 <25,000m3 On site concrete Potentially dusty Material with low batching construction material potential for dust (e.g. concrete) release (e.g. metal Sandblasting cladding or timber) www.erm.com Version: 1.0 Project No.: 0488636 Client: Corby Ltd. 28 February 2019 Page 8-3 AIR QUALITY AND ODOUR CONTENTS Shelton Road, Corby Energy from Waste Facility Source Large Medium Small On site concrete batching Trackout >50 HGV movements in 10 – 50 HGV < 10 HGV movements any one day (a) movements in any one in any one day (a) day (a) Potenitally dusty surface Surface material with material (e.g. high clay Moderately dusty low potential for dust content) surface material (e.g. release silt) Unpaved road Unpaved road length length >100m Unpved road length 50 <50m – 100m (a) HGV movements refer to outward trips (leaving the site) by vehicles of over 3.5 tonnes 8.3.2.3 Receptor Sensitivity Factors defining the sensitivity of a receptor are presented in Table 8.2. Table 8.2 Factors Defining the Sensitivity of a Receptor Sensitivity Human (Health) Human (Dust soiling) Ecological High Locations where Regular exposure Nationally or members of the Internationally public are exposed High level of designated site with over a time period amenity expected dust sensitive (b) relevant to the air Appearance, features quality objectives for aesthetics or value (a) Locations with PM10 of the property vascular plant would be affected Examples