Dangerous dust closes quarry kiln

The quarry produces 200,000 tons of quicklime a year

A lime-burning plant at a Somerset quarry has been closed over fears it was releasing clouds of dangerous dust into the atmosphere.

The kiln at Batts Coombe Quarry in Cheddar makes 200,000 tons of quicklime a year for use in the steel industry.

But one of the process's by-products is potentially harmful quicklime dust and recent tests showed some of it was escaping into the air.

Now the kiln is to be closed for a major refit to make it safer.

'£300,000 investment'

The Environment Agency, which regulates quarries, warned the company earlier this year that it should tighten up procedures and has vowed to keep a check on the kiln once it reopens.

Hudson Quarries spokesman David Weeks said: "Occasionally when we close the kiln the dust does emerge from it.

"We want to get that under control and that's why next week we're closing the kiln and investing £300,000 to sort out the problems."

Quicklime dust is a health hazard which can cause skin irritation and damage to the eyes and throat in large quantities.