‘My eyes and skin are stinging and I struggle to breath’-Rainham landfill fire impacting locals.

The ongoing issues with the fires on the landfill site on Launders Lane in Rainham are causing serious concerns for locals.

Fire crews are called regularly to the area and smoke billowing from fire is seen right across the borough. Now, residents fear the impact these fires are having on their health due to the toxic fumes being released into the air.

Kelly is a Rainham resident and the fumes coming from these fires are having a detrimental impact on her health. She told the Havering Daily:

“I live half a mile from the landfill fire. It is always on fire but by how much changes regularly. The past few days have been really bad. It is not just a smoky burning smell, there is also a metallic chemical smell. My husband can’t smell, but even he can taste it. 

“With the hot weather, you want to sit in the garden or have your windows open. On Friday I sat in the garden with a friend and we were both coughing after a few hours. Last night I had to close the bedroom window as the smell kept waking me up. 

“My eyes and skin are stinging and I have a headache. Some days I struggle to breathe. It is making us miserable.

“All you hear about is polluting cars and charging residents to drive. What about this pollution? 
Why are residents being punished with possible future ULEZ charges when the local council and Mayor of London are letting this fire continue? These landfill fires and the many industrial businesses in this area is what is tainting the polluting figures. It is not the drivers.”

Kelly, like many other locals who live in Rainham are angry and very concerned that this situation has been going on for a long period of time and has not been addressed. The impact it is having on local peoples health is starting to show and residents are even more concerned now that temperatures are rising on the impact these fires are having on air quality and ultimately their health.