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January 29th 2011
FOLLOWING data released at the beginning of this month showing the 100 wards with the highest mortality rates in England and Wales, which identified three Wrexham wards amongst the top six – despite being among the less deprived in Wrexham - North Wales Assembly Member, Mark Isherwood, has called on the Welsh Government to map relevant health and mortality data in order to monitor any impact of industrial emissions.
Raising the matter with the Environment Minister, John Griffiths, Mr Isherwood, said; “Office for National Statistics data were published earlier this month showing that the ward with the highest death rate in England and Wales was in Bridgend. It also showed that three of the worst six wards for death rates in England and Wales were in Wrexham (Gwersyllt West, Offa and Grosvenor). The ONS said that circumstances such as proportion of people living with deprivation and environmental conditions can affect health outcomes, but these three wards were among the less deprived in Wrexham, being fifteenth, twentieth and twenty-fifth from the bottom.
“Therefore, what work could you consider, or will you propose, to ensure that the World Health Organization recommendation on disease mapping and risk assessment in public health decision making is brought into effect in Wales to monitor the impact of industrial emissions on relevant health and mortality data?”
The Minister replied: “Of course, there are agencies tasked with protecting public health with regard to these matters, such as the Health Protection Agency and Environment Agency Wales, so safeguards are in place and will apply to any particular developments.”
Speaking outside the Chamber, Mr Isherwood added: “The mapping of relevant disease and mortality data, including low birth weight babies, infant mortality, cancers and heart attack deaths, must be the first stage in determining whether industrial emissions from an installation such as an incinerator are a risk to health, but concern is often expressed that this is being ignored in Wales and across the UK despite being recommended by the World Health Organisation. A fresh UK Government backed study into the potential health risks of incinerators has been confirmed by the Health Protection Agency with the study due to begin in April 2012, and preliminary results expected in March 2014.”
ENDS
North Wales AM Mark Isherwood, Shadow Minister for North Wales, Communities and Housing
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