14 DAY TRIAL // The Environment Agency is indicating that illegal toxic waste dumps are a serious threat for the health of British residents. It seems that 600 hazardous sites are located only in the UK.
The most alarming fact is that half of them are located 150 feet far from schools and homes, Express.co.uk informs.
Authorities are trying to provide an efficient answer to this issue and are currently putting together a team of experts aiming to tackle this toxic problem.
Dumping waste has a wide series of consequences on the environment, since such activities can pollute waters and contaminate land.
Moreover, instead of working in favor of the environment, people often aggravate the situation, by burning waste on bonfires.
During these processes, a significant amount of noxious fumes are emitted, lowering air quality and putting the lungs of inhabitants at great risks.
The problem is such incidents are more and more frequent. Moreover, it appears that the agency has a new reason to boost its operations, since it benefits from an extra financial support of £5million ($7.77 million/€5.85million), meant to be spent wisely over the next two years to make sure that waste crimes will no longer be a part of their daily agenda.
“These illegal waste sites do untold damage to the environment and cause misery for local people who have to live with toxic fumes, noise at all hours and unbearable smells,” stated the Environment Minister Lord Taylor.
New funds are expected to increase the vigilance of the agency. Such a boost is much needed, since the agency managed to identify 400 important cases of waste crimes and recoup almost £1million (€1.17million/$1.55million) from those who failed to comply with the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Eco-groups do everything in their power to solve this complex puzzle. Often, such organizations make sure the offenders are being punished accordingly for their environmental crimes.
This appears to be the case of a Berkshire man who has to complete hours of community service and take no less than £900,000 (€1.05million/$1.39 million) out of his pockets, after authorities reached the conclusion that he was running an illegal open dump.
Last week, representatives from the Environment Agency succeeded in handling an illegal toxic site located in eastern London, a great source of outdoor pollution.
“The Environment Agency relies on the public and legitimate businesses to help us identify the culprits. They can call us or Crimestoppers with information. We’ll press for the strongest possible penalties, including prison,” stated Environment Agency chief executive Dr Paul Leinste.