Lancashire Residents Suffer Illness From Landfill Odor

A landfill in Lancashire has a bad smell. People blame Storm Eowyn for the stench, which Transwaste says is due to storm damage to the landfill’s cover. The company expects the smell to go away after repairs.

A local MP says people have smelled it for a year, with some residents experiencing vomiting and breathing issues. This “rotten egg smell” reportedly started back in February.

Transwaste claims that new equipment initially caused the odor, installed after they took over the site in 2023. This released a smell when old waste got disturbed, but they claim new equipment fixed this issue.

They say the storm ripped off the landfill’s cover, allowing the smell to escape once again. They are working to fix the cover now and expect things to be normal soon.

The Environment Agency thinks the smell will lessen in a week, according to a government minister who told this to the Commons. She acknowledged people are clearly suffering health issues.

The MP reiterated that the smell has been bad for a year, causing residents to experience nosebleeds, headaches, and breathing problems. She blames bad management at the landfill and calls for stronger powers for the Environment Agency.

The minister expressed sympathy for those affected, stating that an investigation into the smell continues. The issue worsened in January of this year, and the Agency will intervene if the smell does not decrease.

The Environment Agency says Transwaste took over the landfill in late 2023. Transwaste reports that the Agency does regular checks, including unannounced visits and drone flights.

A health expert assessed that gas levels were low in September, remaining below levels that could harm health.