Materials scare at Lanarkshire site

Demolition work on a former electronics factory is being investigated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) after it suspected potentially hazardous materials were being crushed and sent to landfill.

The Chunghwa picture tubes plant in Lanarkshire is thought to contain up to 150,000m2 of cladding and roof panels which contain hydrochlorofluoro-carbons (HCFCs), refrigerants harmful to the atmosphere.

The site was being demolished to make way for Eurocentral, the largest speculative business development project ever undertaken in Scotland.

A demolition insider told CJ that this was a problem waiting to surface as few facilities can deal with this type of panel. He explained: "In England, the Environment Agency hasn't really addressed the situation as there aren't the facilities to cope. In the past, the panels have been landfilled and sent to scrap yards, but now they're being closely monitored and it's become a problem."

Demolition contractor Morton Demolition had been crushing the panels along with other site waste until SEPA stepped in. A spokeswoman said the organisation was "investigating activities being undertaken" at the plant.

She added: "Until further information is provided by the company involved, SEPA has advised that the demolition of certain sections of the buildings stops. The sections in question are Kingspan panels, which SEPA believes contain ozone depleting substances."

Rather than being crushed, the panels are now being piled up on site until an appropriate disposal method is found.

John McArthur, health and safety manager at Morton Demolition, explained: "The situation is under control but obviously there's an issue. Under the CDM regulations, these things should be identified at tender stage."

In a statement, Eurocentral said that main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland was working with SEPA to make sure the materials are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. How this is achieved is yet to be decided.