To see the Hemeltoday reports this refers to, click here
Update, September
Name: Sharon Allen
Address: Valley Green Hemel Hempstead Herts
Views: I live on Woodhall Farm and find it really hard to believe that it has taken nine months to sort this mess out.
The companies concerned and the local council need to be brought to task about their inability to deal with this issue sooner. As to there being no health risks, I for one am a living answer to that. I now suffer from Asthma, I had no difficulties before this event, but now have servere breathing difficulties and have heard from others with the same complaint.
Please make contact if you are also having difficulties.
Name: angela
Address: Supplied
Views: i am concerned about the contradicting information being given about the safety of our water supply. i have a 4 year old son & have taken to buying bottled water for him. the water company insist the water is safe, yet a member of dacorum borough council said he does not know how they can be so sure. the public deserve to know the truth for their own safety, especially when it comes to childrens safety. we will continue to use bottled water until we feel satisfied it is safe not to. for those who are worried & think they can not afford to do the same, tesco value still water - 28p for 2 litres!
Name: Brian Webb
Address: Leverstock Green
Views: Something that has not received much attention is the devaluation of houses in this area since Buncefield. I had a buyer lined up before the incident but they backed out after the bang. The property is still on the market and likely to achieve some 25000 pounds less than pre Buncefield.
With the destruction of so much industry there are not the people househunting and the area is generally blighted both by what has happened and doubts about the future.
Name: Judy Hadden
Email supplied
Views: I, along with many other local Mothers, was extremely concerned to read the article by Andy McSmith on Buncefield, which was published in The Independent newspaper last Friday. The article states that our water is at risk of being contaminated by a lethal chemical (Perfluorooctane sulfonate or PFOS), that the Drinking Water Inspectorate have apparently agreed can enter the domestic supply for the first time, despite government attempts to ban it worldwide. As you would expect, we feel most strongly that under no circumstances should contaminated water be allowed to enter our domestic water supply. We understand that this week the government will have the opportunity to overrule the water inspectors and ban the supply of any water containing any measurable quantities of PFOS and we would urge you to lobby them on our behalf. Your assistance would be appreciated.
Name: Phil Brett
Address: Crabtree Court, Crabtree Lane,
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Dear hemel today team, i have just read an article in last fridays (5th) Independent newspaper by Barry Phillips, and i am very concerned by the report. The title reads "Poisonous legacy of Buncefield fire". It starts by saying that Britains water is at risk of being contaminated by a lethal chemical that inspectors have agreed to allow to enter the domestic supply for the first time, despite government attempts to ban it worldwide. A substance called "Perfluorooctane Sulfonate" or PFOS,is used for fighting major fires but is so dangerous for humans and animals that the government drew up legislation to make it illegal to import into the uk. But the government changed tack because of the Buncefield fire. Firefighters poured vast quantitys of this lethal chemical on the fire, as they fought to bring it under control, for days. And now it is in the water table. Studies have linked this lethal chemmical to "bladder cancer, althogh further work is needed to understand this association". Is it just me or should we all be just a little bit worried about what is coming out of our cold water tap at home, and drink without a second thought ?????
Name: Bill Burgar
Address: Cherry Tree Lane
Hemel Still not back in residence - currently living in rented accommodation
Views: The goverment have annoucned that they are going to let the oil/water companies allow the "fire water" into our drinking water. The highly toxic PFOS chemicals are extrememly dangerous - so much so that the Government were going to ban them from being imported into the country - now in a massive U-turn they are going to endanger the health of the local popluation by allowing them into our drinking water instead of disposing of the fire water responsibly. If the Buncefield explosion didn't affect you directly before this most certainly does. It is a direct threat to the health of everyone in the area.
Name: julia.balmer
Address: st margarets way
leverstock green
Views: I too am still affected by Buncefield. I don't sleep well. My house is still affected. No one seems to accept responsibility Will it ever be resolved?
Name: Lin Eldridge
Address:
Rannoch Walk
Grovehill West Hemel Hempstead
Views: I still worry about the long term health risks from the blast. We have not really been kept informed about this. I had a questionaire from West Herts Health Authority come through to fill in my views and concerns but I have never received any feedback from this. We still don't know exactly what toxins and chemicals where in the cloud that came across our houses and laid like a dense fog in the valley out the front them. At the time my neighbours and I all experienced sore throats, tight chests and sore eyes. I really think that the Health Authorities should have kept the community more informed.
Name: Colette Colls
Address: Adeyfield:
Views: Nearly 5 months on from the blast and im still quite scared of loud noises, bangs etc, im not sleeping too well as this has given me so much stress, i was so frightened, i bet i wasnt the only one.
