A study into the toxicity of air close to the Waste4Fuel site says emissions pose no significant risk to public health.

This comes from analysis by Public Health England of the type of compounds and their levels in ambient air near the recycling plant in St Paul's Cray.

The compounds monitored, such as dimethyl disulphide, are deemed unlikely to cause direct harm to human health, although exposure to odours as a result of the compounds is known to cause anxiety and stress.

This can result in health problems such as headaches, nausea, shortness of breath and sore throats reported in the exposed population.

As a result the report recommends all measures are taken to reduce the off-site odours.

It is also noted that levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, exceeded the air quality standard downwind from the site and at boundry locations, where the public is not regularly exposed.

However in Cornwall Drive, which represents regular human exposure, the benzene concentration was within the standard.

The elevated levels may suggest a local source of benzene, however other sources of benzene close to the site may also need to be considered, such as proximity to the A20.

The report concludes the results do not suggest the potential for significant adverse health risks.

The report comes from one-off sampling carried out over a 14-minute period.