COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday 12th June 2007

HEADED ITEM No. 11

BUILDERS YARD, MUCKROSS  

REPORT:     

In so far as matters relating to environmental health are concerned the Principal Environmental Health Officer has reported as follows :

  

Dust

On the 12^th October 2006 a TOPAS computerised dust and air quality monitor was installed in the garden of the home  resident to the SLM premises. This monitor remained in permanent monitoring mode for a week after which the results were analysed and evaluated. The results confirmed that an air pollution nuisance did not exist during the monitoring period.  

The monitor was installed again on the 2^nd May 2007. On this occasion the monitor remained in permanent monitoring mode for 12 days until the 13^th May 2007. There were 3,500 readings taken and the results show that there is very little, if any difference between day tim e and night tim e hours. Under the Air Quality standards Regulations 2002 the average limit value for the protection of human health for PM10 (particulate matter up to 10 microns) is 40ug/m3. The average levels recorded were between 0- 4ug/m3. Of these 3,500 results there were three readings where the levels exceeded the permitted standard, after which the levels immediately dropped to below 3ug/m3.

   

The Builders Providers premises have been visited on a number of occasions. On all occasions the propr ie tor has been taking best practicable means to prevent the occurrence of an air pollution nuisance. A sprinkler system is in place on the wall above the mounds of sand and is used on a regular basis.

Noise

With regard to the complaints concerning a noise nuisance emanating from the above premises, the hours of operation have been limited to 07.00am – 7.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturdays. Noise monitoring has been carr ie d out on a number of occasions in the home of another resident adjacent to the premises. A total of 24 fifteen minute readings were taken between the 4^th May 2007 and the 22^nd May 2007. The fifteen minute readings were taken when there was activity in the site and during periods where there was no activity in the site. The results of the monitoring on Tuesday, 22^nd May 2007 indicated a small rise in the Laeq between activity in the site and no activity. The results on all other monitoring days indicated no difference in noise averages between periods of activity and periods of no activity in the site.  

The Noise level readings for the 5 days are summarised and available for inspection.  The dust results are in a very large spread sheet format, and are available for inspection in total or for specific days if required.