THE STENCH coming off Redhill landfill is not toxic according to Public Health England (PHE).
An interim health risk assessment of air quality around the Biffa landfill site in Cormongers Lane has been issued by the authority.
It shows that hydrogen sulphide and the identified volatile organic compounds from the available monitoring data are not high enough to be of concern to public health.
The report was compiled from data gathered by Biffa and the Environment Agency.
Chris Hazelton, environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: "I recognise the significant impact that the Biffa site has had on the local community, and welcome the findings of the PHE health risk assessment.
"Biffa are making good progress in line with the enforcement notice we issued earlier this year, and the infrastructure and gas management work they have carried out has led to a significant reduction in the number of odour complaints we have received.
"We will continue to work with Public Health England, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, and Biffa to ensure that the remaining issues are resolved as quickly as possible."
The Environment Agency issued an enforcement notice to Biffa in January after officers found gas emanating from five different parts of the site.
Biffa was served with notice to carry out improvement works which the company has, so far, complied with.
The stench garnered hundreds of responses from the local area.
But now the results show the stench is unlikely to pose a risk to nearby residents' short or long term health.
The Environment Agency will continue to monitor air quality in the Redhill area in the short term, and is working towards the installation of an air quality monitoring station on the Watercolours estate.
