The Mossmorran Flare

As everyone in the locality knows, Mossmorran had another bout of flaring, which lasted over a couple of days, day and night, constantly, much to the annoyance of the locality. Below is a video captured by a local resident on the morning of 21/06/10, which clearly shows the light pollution, residents have to tolerate. The flaring began on 19/06/10, so residents had no other choice but to tolerate the Light and Noise Pollution for 3 days.

Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution is unwanted sound that disturbs the environment, and this can cover loud music, factories, construction work, and anything else that makes an unwanted sound, such as Mossmorran.

Noise Pollution is measured in decibels, and at 45 decibels, no human being can sleep, at 85 decibels hearing can be damaged, and at 120 decibels the ear is in pain.

Noise Pollution has an adverse affect on human health including irritability, heartburn, indigestion, ulcers, high blood pressure and heart disease. Noise Pollution can alter our endocrinal, neurological, and cardiovascular functions in many individuals. Prolonged or frequent exposure to Noise Pollution can mean that the physiological disturbances can become chronic and contribute to mental illness

Light Pollution

Light Pollution as defined by the International Dark-Sky Association is: “Any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste.”

There is now significant evidence showing that Light Pollution can bring on psychological stresses and create medical problems in children. In children by disturbing the sleeping patterns of the child with light pollution can significantly increase the chances of the child growing up short-sighted, having to wear glasses, hyper-activity, and in general have a negative impact on the child’s health.

More stress can be caused, and suicides and now there is evidence that light pollution can disrupt the body’s production of melatonin, which is a brain hormone which is secreted at night and triggers a host of biochemical activity, including a nocturnal reduction in the body’s production of oestrogen. Research has shown that decreasing nocturnal melatonin production increases an individual’s risk of developing oestrogen-related malignancies, such as breast cancer.

Is Mossmorran Affecting my Health?

We do not have the authority, or research to answer that question.

That however leads us to ask if Mossmorran should be made liable to pay for research into the possible detrimental environmental and health effects of living nearby to the Mossmorran complex, on the conditions that (1) Research is independent and out with the influence of Mossmorran but influenced by the local community. (2) Any groups to be considered for conducting the research should be chosen by a joint committee made up by local members of the community within the local areas affected.

Do you feel Mossmorran is negatively impacting on your health or life? Why not let us know in the comments below.

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