Frequently Asked Questions

National monitoring data for benzene indicates that the air quality objective for this pollutant is unlikely to be breached except for sites near to busy roads (as defined above) and at locations where there are elevated background levels of this pollutant.

There is one industrial process in the Borough of Wellingborough in Wollaston permitted under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 which has the potential to release benzene. The process is subject to stringent controls designed to minimise emissions to atmosphere and there have been no notified changes reported by the enforcing authority (Environment Agency) concerning potential or actual increase in releases of Benzene to the atmosphere.
It has been suggested that benzene emissions from petrol stations may be substantial enough to result in the exceedance of the 2010 objective for this pollutant, particularly if they are located near to busy roads or junctions. The technical guidance suggests that exceedance of the air quality objective for this pollutant is most likely to occur at: 

• Petrol stations with an annual throughput of more than 2000m³ of petrol per annum adjacent to a road that exceeds more than 30,000  vehicles per day, and;
• Where there is a relevant exposure within 10 metres of the pumps.

9 petrol filling stations have permits issued by the Borough Council of Wellingborough under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000. None of these petrol pumps are within 10 metres of residential or other sensitive property or have a throughput which exceeds 2000 m³ per annum. All of the petrol stations within the Borough in addition have vapour recovery systems, several stage II systems.

There are no major fuel storage depots handling petrol with significant emissions in the Borough of Wellingborough, or in adjacent local authorities.