Environmental Risks, Accidents and Disturbances

Environmental Risks, Accidents and Disturbances

Eckes-Granini Finland’s normal operation has not been shown to cause significant environmental, health or comfort risks on the site or in its vicinity. Normal operation does not have a direct impact on the aquatic environment, because waste water is discharged into the City of Turku’s sewer system and it does not flow into the Pansionlahti Bay uncleaned. Direct activity does not cause emissions into air or soil. Under normal conditions operations do not cause noise or odours.

Environmental risks caused by exceptional and emergency situations have been identified at the site. The company has drawn up guidelines for actions to be taken in exceptional and emergency situations, such as instructions in case of fire or a chemical leak. An emergency plan for operations has also been prepared. All close call situations and accidents are documented and discussed and, if necessary, immediate action is taken. However, in 2017, no accidents or close call situations relating to environmental issues were reported.

In 2017, Eckes-Granini Finland operations caused one environmental deviation, which had to do with the high pH value of the waste water. The regularly conducted analyses showed that the pH level of the composite sample of waste water (collected on 11–12 April 2017) slightly exceeded the limit value. The tests conducted by the environmental officer did not find any reason for the high pH value, however, and the detected deviation was so small that it could even be explained by measurement uncertainty.