Two thirds of land identified as being affected by industrial contamination in England and Wales is estimated to have undergone some form of remediation, according to estimates published today (Wednesday) by the Environment Agency.

Looking at both chemical and radiological contamination, the new report Indicators for Land Contamination examines the legacy of a long industrial past in England and Wales, to improve understanding and assist in identifying the need for, and managing the process of, remediation.

Land affected by contamination is often characterised by concentrations of chemicals in the soils. In some cases where contamination occurs, the land may need to be remediated in some way. It is the responsibility of local authorities and / or developers to identify land that is contaminated and to ensure any necessary remediation work is carried out to make sure it is suitable for its current or intended use. All local authorities have strategic plans for inspecting their areas to determine the extent of land contamination. The Environment Agency has a role in advising local authorities and in regulating the remediation of some sites.

In order to estimate the national picture for progress in identifying and remediating land contamination in England and Wales, the study looked at existing land contamination and planning records for 12 sample areas chosen to be broadly representative of the country as a whole.

The study looked at the amount of:
• land identified as chemically contaminated to an extent requiring some form of action to prevent or mitigate harm
• chemically contaminated land that has been remediated

The results of the study show that in England and Wales:
• an estimated 67,000 hectares, an area roughly the size of Greater Manchester, has been identified as being affected to some extent by chemical contamination
• an estimated 44,000 hectares of land affected by chemical contamination has undergone some form of remediation

Additionally, the study looked at the extent of land that has been used by industries employing either chemicals and / or radiological material at some point in its history. This is simply a measure of land use that may have caused chemical or radiological substances to be present and does not mean that the land has actually been affected by contamination or identified as contaminated. The report cannot be used directly to identify or suggest potential or actual threats to human health either generally or in relation to specific sites.

The results of the study show:
• At some point in its history, an estimated 300,000 ha of land (325,000 sites) has been used by potentially contaminating activities. For example the site of gas works, chemical works or industrial works.
• Radioactive material has been used, stored or disposed of on an estimated 27,000 ha of land (53,000 sites). For example, the site of a former radium luminising workshop or hospitals using radioactive sources.

Of those 53,000 sites, the report estimates that between 100 and 1000 sites (with the best estimate being 250) may require consideration under the proposed extension of Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act to include radioactivity. However, only a fraction of these sites are expected to be found to be contaminated to a degree which would require remediation. Similarly, only a small minority of the 325,000 sites used by potentially contaminated activities are likely to be found to be contaminated to a degree which would require remediation.

Dave Johnston, Land Contamination Policy Advisor at the Environment Agency, said: “This report gives us the broad picture of how much land has been subject to potentially contaminating activities. It’s important to stress that this does not mean that the land is actually contaminated and it is likely that most of this land will not have contamination to any appreciable level.

“We did not aim to survey or list individual sites but to provide estimates based on available information, such as old Ordnance Survey maps and local authority land records. The information should assist in considering the progress being made in tackling land contamination, and in the development of policy and strategies at a local, regional and national level.

“The report shows that significant progress has already been made in identifying and remediating land contamination either through redevelopment, voluntary improvements by site owners or through the requirements of Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act. This progress is encouraging but there is still more work to be done alongside local authorities"