Calls for public health assessment of gas leak odour
A public health impact assessment has been requested for the Blackrock, Mahon, and Rochestown areas, following the release of hydrogen sulphide gas from the Ballinure Header Chamber in Mahon over the last number of months.
The assessment, which was requested by Cllr Peter Horgan (Labour) at the latest HSE South West Regional Health Forum, would assess the frequency, intensity, duration, and offensiveness of the odour.
Residents of the area have been complaining of foul smells for a number of years.
The Ballinure Header Chamber, which is located on Ballinure Way in Mahon, is one of the first links in the chain of Cork’s wastewater treatment system, and transfers wastewater on to the Carrigrennan wastewater plant at Little Island for further treatment.
However, it was reported earlier this month that there has been no operational gas detector on the site for several years, meaning that the release of hydrogen sulphide gas from the facility has gone undetected by Uisce Éireann.
A formal complaint over the odour was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in August this year.
In response, Uisce Éireann has said that it is progressing a number of works on the site to mitigate the smells, including replacing and upgrading elements of the odour extraction system, and the commissioning of a new gas detection and monitoring system.
It also said that it will be carrying out enhanced monitoring of the site.
“We understand that odours can be unpleasant and concerning for local residents, and we would like to reassure the community that extensive monitoring is being undertaken at the site.
“Hydrogen sulphide, which is primarily responsible for wastewater-related odours, is a common and naturally occuring by-product of wastewater treatment processes.
“While it can be detected by smell at extremely low concentrations, these concentrations are typically far below levels associated with adverse health effects,” said an Uisce Éireann spokesperson.
However Cllr Horgan said that the measures put in place fall short of what is needed.
“There is still no where near the public engagement level required to restore confidence for the people locally. I still have grave misgivings on the health impacts on local residents this last summer, along with the interruption of quality of life daily.
“There is scope for a capital investment to resolve this but delaying to 2027 isn’t acceptable and I would seek that senior management fast track the improvements needed here,” he said.
This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.