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<p>The Government recognises there is more to do to protect all people in our society
and the environment from the effects of air pollution. This is why we are taking the
significant and wide-ranging action to drive improvements to air quality as set out
in our Environmental Improvement Plan 2023. <br> <br> This action is supported by
the Environment Act 2021, which makes sure that local authorities have the necessary
powers to tackle emissions collaboratively in their local area to improve air quality.
Through the Act we also introduced two new targets for fine particulate matter, the
pollutant most damaging to human health, setting a maximum annual mean concentration
target and a population exposure reduction target. This dual-target approach will
improve public health for all by tackling the highest concentrations whilst ensuring
all areas benefit from continuous improvement. <br> <br> We continue to support local
authorities in England to take action in their communities through the Local Air Quality
Grant, which has awarded around £53 million to almost 500 projects since 2010</p><p><br>
With regards to incinerators, in England all large waste incinerators cannot operate
unless issued with an environmental permit by the Environment Agency (EA). The EA
will only grant a permit if they are satisfied that the proposal would not give rise
to any significant pollution of the environment or harm to human health, irrespective
of the location of the plant. The EA also consults the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
on every permit application they receive. The UKHSA’s position relating to incineration
is that modern, well-run and regulated municipal waste incinerators are not a significant
risk to public health</p><p><br> Under their permit, the operator must comply with
the Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions for waste incineration. These BAT
conclusions were reviewed and updated in 2019, introducing new standards which deliver
an improved level of environmental protection. This includes even lower Emission Limit
Values (ELVs) for oxides of nitrogen, particulates, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride,
dioxins and a number of other pollutants. All environmental permits for existing waste
incinerators were reviewed and updated by the compliance deadline of 3rd December
2023 to reflect these new standards.</p>
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