Latest news with #InfrastructureandEnvironment
ITV News
01-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
PFAS report: 'No immediate risk' but affected 'plume' area larger than originally thought
An independent report into the PFAS levels of Jersey 's surface water and groundwater has found there to be no "immediate risk to the health of the broader population". However, it has confirmed that the extent of affected groundwater near the airport to be larger than previously thought. This is referred to as the 'plume area' and officers for Infrastructure and Environment are now identifying properties which draw water from boreholes within the newly expanded zone. Home and landowners of any impacted properties will be contacted directly and provided with individual environmental health advice. Groundwater is defined as water that lies below the surface while surface water is classed as ponds and streams. Jersey's Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, says: "PFAS is not just in Jersey, it's everywhere. But we're coming up with scientific, evidence-based solutions to deal with it. "We commissioned this report to give us a better understanding of where PFAS is and what we can do about it. "It is a detailed report on a complex matter and its findings deserve proper consideration." The full 651-page hydrogeological report was published today (1 May) and was compiled by Arcadis - a company which specialises in environmental restoration. The company visited the island on four occasions between July 2023 and May 2024 to sample a wide range of water. PFAS levels were checked across the St Ouen's Bay and Upper Pont Marquet - both impacted areas which Jersey Water no longer draws water from. What is PFAS? Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of chemicals that are resistant to heat, water, oil and grease. The chemicals are also known as 'forever chemicals' because of their persistence in the environment. PFAS is used to produce products such as skin creams and cosmetics, car and floor polish, rinse aids for dishwashers, textile and fabric treatments, food packaging and microwave popcorn bags, baking equipment, frying pans, outdoor clothing, waterproof mascara and shoes. The chemical remains in the body and some studies have linked it to certain types of cancer. PFAS contaminated several private water supplies in the west of Jersey after leaking from the airport in the 1990s, where it was being used in firefighting foams. One of the report's key findings states "significant PFAS contamination" remains under the Fire Training Ground at Jersey Airport. It recommends that Jersey's government continue targeted monitoring to help fill in gaps with data. Further testing and monitoring will take place over the summer months to monitor the movement of PFAS from and around the airport site. The Minister will now review the report's findings and produce a full response by 12 June.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Islanders warned of Jersey's tick 'hotspots'
Islanders have been warned to take care when walking around Jersey's tick "hotspots". On Monday, the Jersey government posted on its Infrastructure and Environment Facebook page to warn followers of an increase in tick activity during spring. A government spokesperson said hotspots for the parasitic arachnids included Pont Marquet Country Park, Les Quennevais woodland paths and Noirmont. They advised people to stick to designated paths when walking in the countryside, carry out regular tick checks and to use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool if a tick was found. Islanders were also advised to contact their GP if they felt unwell. The Jersey government defines a tick as a "small spider-like parasite" that "feeds on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans". They can be identified by their eight legs and an egg-shaped body which become larger and darker when filled with blood. Ticks are more likely to found in woodland and grassland. The bites of a tick can carry diseases, so the Jersey government has warned people it is "important to remove them straight away". One disease ticks can carry is Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that can be contracted by humans. Only a small number of ticks carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease so being bitten does not mean you will be infected. In Jersey, the risk of Lyme disease is "very low" and only two people have been infected since 2015, according to government sources. The most common signs of Lyme disease are: A circular bullseye or oval shape rash around a tick bite Fever Headache Flu like symptoms Feeling tired Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to 'I need Botox to see after a tick bite left me unable to move' Jersey Government
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Islanders warned of Jersey's tick 'hotspots'
Islanders have been warned to take care when walking around Jersey's tick "hotspots".On Monday, the Jersey government posted on its Infrastructure and Environment Facebook page to warn followers of an increase in tick activity during spring. A government spokesperson said hotspots for the parasitic arachnids included Pont Marquet Country Park, Les Quennevais woodland paths and advised people to stick to designated paths when walking in the countryside, carry out regular tick checks and to use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool if a tick was found. Islanders were also advised to contact their GP if they felt unwell. What is a tick? The Jersey government defines a tick as a "small spider-like parasite" that "feeds on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans".They can be identified by their eight legs and an egg-shaped body which become larger and darker when filled with blood. Ticks are more likely to found in woodland and grassland. The bites of a tick can carry diseases, so the Jersey government has warned people it is "important to remove them straight away". Lyme disease One disease ticks can carry is Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that can be contracted by humans. Only a small number of ticks carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease so being bitten does not mean you will be Jersey, the risk of Lyme disease is "very low" and only two people have been infected since 2015, according to government sources. The most common signs of Lyme disease are:A circular bullseye or oval shape rash around a tick biteFeverHeadacheFlu like symptomsFeeling tired
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Flood warning as persistent rain expected for Jersey
Persistent rain has been forecast for Jersey from 0900 GMT on Wednesday until 07:00 on Met warned islanders that rainfall could cause localised Government of Jersey said its Infrastructure and Environment department, as a precaution, has been "clearing drains and raising the level of preparedness".Advice to islanders on how to prepare for flooding can be found on its website.
BBC News
28-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fort Regent Tunnel to close overnight until 21 February
Fort Regent Tunnel in St Helier is closed for overnight work between Monday and Friday until 21 February, the government has will remove the steel panelling within the tunnel so structural engineers can complete a routine survey of the concrete lining. The government said the work last took place a decade in January, the tunnel was closed for one night for a smoke test so emergency services could prepare themselves in the event of a government said the results of the survey would help Infrastructure and Environment to "fully understand the requirements for future improvements". It said the work would take place overnight to "minimise disruption" between 19:00 and 06:00 GMT until Friday, 21 February.
