AEA takes on industrial monitoring
15 Jan 2000
AEA Technology is to become the chemical industry's emissions policeman. The Environment Agency has awarded the firm a contract to monitor emissions from organic chemical and petrochemical production sites, to ensure that the plants are within legal emission limits.
Under the three-year contract, AEA will monitor emissions of volatile organic compounds, acid gases, dioxins and heavy metals. Teams of inspectors will visit the sites to check emissions levels, reporting the results back to the Environment Agency. The company already monitors emissions from chemical waste and tyre incinerators, and fertiliser manufacturers.
With its new load, AEA will be monitoring 160 sites in England and Wales. `Legislation is getting tighter to protect the environment and polluters will be monitored to ensure they play by the rules,' promises Alan Collings, air qualilty manager.
Formerly part of the UK's atomic energy establishment, AEA maintains strong links with environmental regulators. It manages the UK's air quality monitoring programme.
