UK Resilience
Last updated: 10 November 2008
Recovery strategies need to take account of the environmental pollution and decontamination issues which can arise during an emergency.Minimising environmental damage starts during the incident but may be compounded during the recovery stage if appropriate action is not taken, giving rise to long term environmental damage (such as contamination of land and drinking water supplies).Examples of incidents involving both recovery and environmental pollution/decontamination include the Buncefield Oil Depot fire and the recent Polonium-210 contamination.
Strategic National Guidance on Decontamination of the Open Environment exposed to CBRN substances or material. Guidance designed to help local authorities develop a strategy for decontaminating the open environments following a release of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear substances.
Strategic National Guidance: The decontamination of buildings and infrastructure exposed to CBRN substances or material. Guidance to help a wide range of bodies with planning and decontamination of buildings and infrastructure following CBRN incidents.
UK Recovery Handbook for Radiation Incidents: (Version 2) - June 2008 - Handbook to guide decision-makers through the available recovery options following an incident dispersing radioactive material in the environment.
Precautions to Minimise Effects of a CBRN Event on Buildings and Infrastructure. Guidance on the pre-planning measures owners and managers can take to prevent contamination, to limit the spread of any contamination occurring and to make decontamination easier.
The release of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) substances or material – Guidance for Local Authorities. Guidance to give local authorities the information and advice they need to assist with contingency planning and in their existing roles and responsibilities.
See the Dealing with Waste topic sheet for guidance on the safe management of wastes arising following a Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) incident.
UK plan on marine spill response.
Other publications and advisory information on marine spills.
Water UK Protocol for the Disposal of Contaminated Water. The purpose of this protocol is to ensure effective control and co-operation between the emergency services, local authorities, the water industry and the relevant environmental regulator (in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) in dealing with water based contamination incidents, which involve the potential pollution of the environment, the disposal of waste and/or the release of radioactive substances.
Model Procedures for the Management of Land Contamination (CLR 11). A technical framework for applying a risk management process when dealing with land affected by contamination. The process involves identifying, making decisions on, and taking appropriate action to deal with land contamination in a way that is consistent with government policies and legislation within the UK.
A Framework for Assessing the Impact of Contaminated Land on Groundwater and Surface Water, 2 Volumes, CLR 1 (available through the Eugris website)
A framework to assess the potential impact of contaminated sites on the water environment. It includes a qualitative assessment step and an introduction to quantitative techniques for predicting impacts on surface and groundwater quality.
For information on the response to animal diseases see the Animal health and welfare topic sheet.
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Information can be found on the SEPA website
In Northern Ireland the majority of the documents listed above do not apply. Only the UK Recovery Handbook for Radiation Incidents; the UK plan on marine spill response; and other publications and advisory information on marine spills are applicable (links above).
In Northern Ireland Strategic Northern Ireland Guidance on the decontamination of the open and urban environments exposed to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) substances is available.
This section should be read in conjunction with the section on Recovery Structures.
During the early phases of an emergency, the emergency services will take responsibility for identifying the ‘Hot Zone’ or inner cordon working in close co-operation with other responders and contractors. During the recovery phase, the lead responsibility will pass to the authority responsible for remediation, usually the Local Authority, operating in close co-operation with site owners, insurers and contractors.
Local authorities are responsible for protecting and improving the environment in their area. Local authority pollution and decontamination expertise is usually delivered through the Environmental Health Service. Environmental Health services are carried out by District/Borough councils in two tier areas and by unitary authorities. Like the Environment Agency they are environmental regulators and also have a wide range of enforcement powers.
Local authority specialists are likely to be involved in the response to the vast majority of pollution incidents. They respond to many different types of incident affecting all aspects of the environment, human health and property. Local authority pollution specialists work closely in partnership with specialists in other agencies such as the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, the Health Protection Agency, the Food Standards Agency and the local Director of Public Health.
Usually an Environmental Health Officer will be a member of the Science and Technical Advice Cell (STAC), providing specialised advice at Gold and Silver command levels.
The Environment Agency is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. As an environmental regulator, with a wide range of roles and responsibilities, they respond to many different types of incident affecting the natural environment, people or property The Environment Agency are a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
The Environment Agency's roles and responsibilities during recovery vary depending on the specific details of the incident in question. However, in general their main priorities during the recovery phase of incidents are to:
With regards to incidents affecting the environment, people or property, during the recovery phase the Environment Agency will, where relevant:
In marine incidents, the responsibility for emergency spills/discharges, emissions and losses of chemical containers etc falls to:
When the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations (NCP) is activated by the MCA, advice on environmental and public health issues and priorities for protection will be taken from the Environmental Group. This group could be established for any marine pollution response, including accidents in ports.
Typical members are:
In Northern Ireland an Environment Group would be established to deal with large incidents. It would be chaired by the Environment and Heritage Service and similar organisations to GB would participate.
Defra is the Lead Government Department in England for the recovery or clean-up phase of a CBRN or a major HAZMAT incident where the contamination effects mainly the open environment. Other Departments would lead depending on where the incident impacts. Where there is uncertainty, Cabinet Office would nominate the most appropriate Lead Department.
The Regional Resilience Team in the relevant Government Office will normally provide the conduit for communication with the nominated Lead Government Department.
For overseas nuclear accidents where fallout is likely to affect the UK, Defra, with its RIMNET System, is the Lead Government Department. More information can be found on the Defra website.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains a Nuclear Accident Response Organisation (NARO) to respond to an accident or incident, including one arising through terrorist acts, involving defence nuclear assets. (Defence nuclear assets include: nuclear weapons, special nuclear materials, nuclear facilities and naval nuclear reactors). The MOD is also nominated as the Lead Government Department to coordinate the UK central government response to a Defence Nuclear Accident, including as appropriate, liaison with the Devolved Administrations.
The Government Decontamination Service (GDS) will provide advice and guidance to support those responsible for the decontamination of buildings, infrastructure, mobile transport assets and the open environment – by and large Local Authorities – during their contingency planning for CBRN, significant HAZMAT incidents and during actual incidents.
GDS has a UK wide remit and aims to offer a common range of services to authorities responsible for remediation across the UK, irrespective of whether the lead responsibility for recovery sits with authorities in England or the Devolved Administrations.
GDS operate on an on-call basis and are able to respond following CBRN or major HAZMAT incidents on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. If the need arises, GDS will ensure that responsible authorities have ready access to the services of the specialist decontamination companies on its framework.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is an independent body that protects the health and well-being of the population. It plays a critical role in protecting people from infectious diseases and in preventing harm when hazards involving chemicals, poisons or radiation occur. It carries out a broad spectrum of work including health protection advice, surveillance and monitoring.
Environmental pollution and contamination may pose a threat to communities. It is essential that public health is considered during both the planning and risk assessment processes. The HPA is working to identify and understand how these substances can affect people and the best ways to protect public health. A 24/7 (365 days) on-call service is available to provide advice and support to government agencies and health professionals. The advice is provided through a combination of environmental scientists and medical staff on a variety of issues including environmental chemistry, radiation protection, public health impact and management (including first aid, decontamination, assessing and minimising exposure), public health toxicology, epidemiology and biological monitoring.
Health Protection Units work closely with Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) when an emergency occurs to ensure that relevant public health messages are released.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) are responsible for food safety, including any food or foodstuff contaminated by an incident. During the recovery phase the FSA will:
Depending on the nature and impacts, the following other Departments may be involved include:
The Department for Environment, Sustainability and Housing within the Welsh Assembly Government has policy responsibility for environmental matters in Wales.
Countryside Council for Wales have similar responsibilities during a marine emergency as Natural England i.e. seabirds, Sites of Scientific Interest, other animals and plants. The National Public Health Service Wales would lead on public health issues.
SEPA is Scotland’s environmental regulator and adviser, responsible to the Scottish Parliament through Ministers. As well as a role in controlling pollution, they work with others to protect and improve the environment.
In Northern Ireland a lead Government Department has not yet been identified for the recovery or clean-up phase of a CBRN or a major HAZMAT incident.
An Environment Group would be established to deal with large incidents. It would be chaired by the Environment and Heritage Service and similar organisations to GB would participate.
The ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ is an established principle whereby the party responsible for causing pollution of the environment is responsible for paying for the associated clean-up and restoration. This needs to be borne in mind during the recovery phase. Existing environmental liability regimes in the UK and work in progress on the implementation of the Environmental Liability Directive.
As noted in the Strategic National Guidance on the open environment (England only), it is the responsibility of land owners and occupiers to ensure adequate insurance cover to meet the cost of dealing with the consequences of a CBRN terrorist incident, as it would be for any other potentially serious incident such as fire or flood.
For marine pollution, international compensation regimes are in place, see http://www.iopcfund.org/ or http://www.itopf.org/compensa.html.
For further information, also see the Dealing with insurance issues and Financial impact on Local Authorities topic sheets.
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A new statutory regime for cleaning up contaminated land came into force in Scotland on July 14 2000. The main responsibility for enforcing the new regime lies with local authorities, but there is also a major role for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA) in dealing with "special sites" and pollution of controlled waters. Legislative provision for the new regime was made in the Environment Act 1995 through a new Part IIA to the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The new regime follows the polluter-pays principle. Those responsible for the land or the polluting activity will be expected to pay for remediation wherever practical. Funding from the Executive is only to be used where owners cannot be traced or where the Council owns the land, or where owners cannot pay for remediation for reasons of hardship.
The contaminated land regime should help to protect human health and the environment, facilitate the re-use of brownfield sites, and promote the regeneration of urban areas.
In Northern Ireland it is the responsibility of land owners and occupiers to ensure adequate insurance cover to meet the cost of dealing with the consequences of a CBRN terrorist incident, as it would be for any other potentially serious incident such as fire or flood. However in many cases as the CBRN risk is so open-ended insurers are increasingly less willing to cover the risk to private property. In the public sector, central and local government bears its own risk. Powers exist under the Criminal Damage Compensation Order 1977 for the Government to make financial assistance available to commercial undertakings and private dwellings following an emergency or disaster involving the destruction of, or danger to, life and property.
General Enquiries: Defra Helpline: 08459 33 55 77
Email:helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Website:http://www.defra.gov.uk/
In an emergency out of hours contact can be made through the DEFRA Duty Room 020 7270 8960
General Enquiries: 08458 501323
Email:gds@gds.gsi.gov.uk
Website:http://www.gds.gov.uk/
In an emergency out of hours contact can be made through the DEFRA Duty Room on: 020 7270 8960
General Enquiries: 08708 506 506 (Mon-Fri 8-6)
Enquiries (non-UK calls): 00 44 1709 389 201 (Mon-Fri 8-6)
For the hard of hearing a minicom service is also available by calling 08702 422 549.
Email:enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Website:http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
In an emergency: 0800 807060 (Freephone* 24 Hour, to report an environmental incident)
Hazardous Waste Registration number: 08708 502 858 (Mon-Fri 8-6)
(Any enquiries regarding Hazardous Waste Registration)
Agricultural Waste Registration: 0845 603 3113 (Mon-Fri 8-6)
(Any enquiries regarding Agricultural Waste Registration)
Floodline: 0845 988 1188 (24 Hour)
(Information about flooding)
Emergency help: 999 and ask for coastguard
Accident Prevention: 02380 329 323
Civil Contingency: 02380 329 487
Coastguard rescue: 02380 329 487
Contingency Plans – ports and harbours: 02380 329 525
Counter pollution and response: 02380 329 544
Hazardous substance spill: 02380 329 407
Information Line: 0870 600 6505
Waste Disposal: 02380 329 503
General Enquiries helpline: 0207 276 8000
Incidents contact: (Mon – Fri 9-5) 0207 276 8737
In an emergency out of hours contact can be made through the DEFRA Duty Room 020 7270 8960. The DEFRA Duty Officer will contact the appropriate officer ‘on call’ in the incidents branch.
Website: http://www.food.gov.uk/
SEPA Corporate Office: 01786 45 77 00
Website:http://www.sepa.org.uk/index.html
SEPA Offices:http://www.sepa.org.uk/contact/index.htm
Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Pollution Hotline: 0800 80 70 60
General enquiries: Cabinet Office, 22 Whitehall, London SW1A 2WH.
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