QUESTIONS remain over the health effects of gas emitting from Redhill's landfill site after official test results were delayed.
Public Health England (PHE), the body responsible for protecting residents from health threats, was due to issue the results of its initial assessments on Tuesday.
However a spokesman for the authority said the findings will now be published by the Environment Agency (EA) later this week. No reason was given for the delay.
The two bodies were called in to investigate the landfill site, off Cormongers Lane, after 36 complaints were received about the smell emanating from the site in January. Since then, hundreds of complaints have been lodged.
The EA has since installed four air-quality monitors around the area at unidentified sites, the results from which are being analysed by PHE.
Reigate MP Crispin Blunt, who has been closely following the issue, called on residents to ensure they report any health concerns.
He said: "If people do feel sick they should go to their GP.
"So far there is no reason to suspect there's a serious health issue here, however we must be aware and that is why Public Health England is investigating."
In response to a request for an update from Mr Blunt, Biffa, which operates the landfill site, confirmed the work to resolve the gas emission problems and to contain the smell was ongoing.
The operator said it was monitoring air quality at 29 locations surrounding the area, and, in the statement, claims work to cap one area of the site – referred to as "cell 6 " – will begin at the end of the month.
The company also admits there was an increase in the number of complaints regarding the smell on March 31 and April 1.
Its statement, released to Mr Blunt, said: "Biffa continues to undertake works on site to improve gas collection."
It added: "We continue to provide regular updates and information to the Environment Agency, along with the information and works required by the enforcement notice and we are progressing well with the works identified within the timescales stipulated."
Following an inspection of the site in January, EA officers found Biffa's failure to control the release of landfill gas had caused the stench.
Officers discovered landfill gas odour emanating from five different areas and in one part of the site there was no gas infrastructure – to capture the odour – in place at all.
On March 6, the EA issued Biffa with an enforcement notice. The agency also requested the company look at how gas is managed on the site.
Biffa could face legal action if a string of measures are not put in place following the notice, but the agency says the company has complied so far.
We contacted the EA and Biffa for an update but they did not reply before we went to press.
