Imagine a world where the air you breathe is visibly tainted, where your home and belongings are constantly coated in a layer of grime. This was the reality for many residents of Port Talbot, a town forever linked to the UK's largest steelworks. But now, with the closure of the blast furnaces, a dramatic shift is underway. Let's dive in to explore how this change has impacted the town and its people.
For 78-year-old Gail Sydenham, the steelworks were a double-edged sword. She lived in the shadow of the industrial giant for most of her life.
Since the blast furnaces shut down just over a year ago, air pollution has significantly decreased. But, as with any major change, there are different perspectives. Some locals feel that the thousands of jobs lost in the transition outweigh the benefits of cleaner air.
Gail recalls the pollution as "dreadful," even worse during Tata's ownership than under previous operators. She shared how she had to constantly clean her garden furniture and how the pollution played a role in her declining health. She has battled health issues, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), for 40 years, but has noticed a marked improvement since the furnaces closed. She even described seeing visible dust particles inside and outside her home.
Interestingly, Gail was compensated by Tata for the dust and received a final payment of £500. Some neighbors even had their cars cleaned by the company.
This issue even caught the eye of street artist Banksy in 2018, who created a piece of art depicting ash falling on a child like snow.
Tata's priority has been to reduce its environmental impact by switching to an electric arc furnace, which melts scrap steel instead of producing new steel from iron ore.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Analyzing 10 years of data, the BBC, with the help of an air pollution expert, examined the levels of pollutants near the steelworks. The two main pollutants linked to the industrial processes were sulfur dioxide (SO2) and coarse particulate matter (PM10), which can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
In the year following the furnace closure, SO2 levels dropped by 71% compared to the previous five-year average. PM10 levels decreased by a third, with only one day exceeding WHO guidelines, compared to an average of 31 days a year previously.
Dr. Omar Nawaz from Cardiff University explained that the hills around the steelworks trap air pollution, keeping it contained.
Prof. Gwyneth Davies, from Swansea Bay health board, expects to see fewer asthma and other airway disease attacks in areas like Port Talbot, where people were exposed to high pollution levels.
Despite the health benefits, Gail acknowledges the financial hit the community has taken. Many former steelworkers are now in lower-paying jobs.
Tata's electric arc furnace, set to be operational by the end of 2027, aims to secure 5,000 jobs. The Welsh government has also committed £25 million to train and re-employ ex-Tata workers.
But what about the human cost?
70-year-old Ray Barnes, who lived near the steelworks for 46 years, vividly remembers coughing up black dust. Paul Cardy, a retired steelworker, said his priority was supporting his family, even if it meant overlooking potential health concerns.
Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, highlighted that air pollution contributes to approximately 2,000 deaths annually in Wales and costs £1 billion due to lost workdays and NHS expenses.
Tata Steel emphasizes that the new electric arc furnace will significantly reduce its environmental footprint.
What do you think? Do you believe the benefits of cleaner air outweigh the job losses? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
