Received from: FBU
Congress believes that the current UK regulations regarding toxic waste disposal from historic and currently approved landfill sites are dangerously inadequate.
Congress is appalled by contaminated land, which risks human life and our environment.
Congress is saddened by the death of seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola and his father’s paralysis from hydrogen cyanide poisoning, during catastrophic flooding in 2014. Flood water passed through an historic landfill site, known to the authorities, carrying hydrogen cyanide into Zane’s home.
Congress notes that firefighters are on the frontline of the climate crisis, seeing a significant increase in flood and wildfire incidents. Specialist HAZMAT firefighters detected high levels of hydrogen cyanide gas in Zane’s home.
Congress wholeheartedly supports the Truth About Zane campaign, which is fighting to address the crisis of contaminated land.
Congress further supports the introduction of Zane’s Law, which demands:
i. every local authority must keep a regularly updated register of land that may be contaminated
ii. the Environment Agency must keep a national register of contaminated land
iii. all registers must be accessible to the general public
iv. local authorities must fully inspect all registered contaminated land and enforce remediation
v. inspection and remediation must include previously closed landfill sites
vi. the Westminster government must provide the necessary funds for local authorities to meet these requirements
vii. ministers must follow the ‘polluter pays’ principle: to recover costs as appropriate where those responsible for the pollution can be identified.
Fire Brigades Union