Saralnama45,000 sites across Wales could be contaminated with toxic waste, a study by Friends of the Earth Cymru reveals. Only 82 sites have been fully examined and classified as contaminated. The research, published on 25 Aug 2025, found that most councils haven't updated their inspection strategies since 2014. Former industrial areas, landfills, and quarries may contain harmful substances like heavy metals, oil, and radioactive materials. In Ynysddu village, waste from a quarry has affected nearby land. Residents report foul-smelling liquid seeping into woods after heavy rain. Tests found unsafe levels of PCBs, which can cause health issues. The group calls for a public inquiry and more resources to identify and clean up dangerous sites. This issue may be similar across the UK, with only 1,465 of 13,093 high-risk sites inspected. (Updated 2 Sep 2025, 05:32 IST; source: link)
Key Points
- 45,000 sites across Wales could be contaminated with toxic waste, a study by Friends of the Earth Cymru reveals
- Only 82 sites have been fully examined and classified as contaminated
- The research, published on 25 Aug 2025 , found that most councils haven't updated their inspection strategies since 2014