Health impact of air pollution exposure

Summary

The requester asked the Department of Health and Social Care for data on health impacts of air pollution from the CCGT plant in Pulrose/Douglas, monitoring details, and policy inputs. The department refused the request stating they do not hold the information, suggesting it may be held by The Cabinet Office (Public Health).

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested information on air pollution health impacts.
• The information may be held by The Cabinet Office (Public Health).
• The requester was advised to also contact the Manx Utilities Authority for relevant information.
• The request was refused under Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The response was issued on 17 July 2025 regarding a request received on 25 June 2025.

Data Disclosed

• 4752297
• 2025-06-25
• 2025-07-17
• £11.3 million
• 09 April 2024
• TRANSITION ODM/003 - APPENDIX 13

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

Original Request

I would be grateful if you could provide: 1. any Health Impacts of Air Pollution Exposure in Pulrose/Douglas * any recorded or modelled public health impacts (e.g. rates of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, asthma exacerbations, hospital admissions) in the Pulrose or Douglas area that are understood to be linked to or exacerbated by air pollution from the CCGT plant? * any reports carried out, commissioned, or received on any local air pollution health impact assessments in relation to Isle of Man electricity generation? 2. Monitoring and Public Health Surveillance * details of any monitor respiratory or cardiovascular public health indicators at a local or regional level (e.g. by postcode, area, or GP catchment)? * details of any routine or ad hoc surveillance of illnesses that may be affected by environmental air quality on the Isle of Man? * details of any plans to undertake public health assessments related to air pollution as part of the Island's transition to cleaner energy? 3. Use in Policy * any health impact input to policy decisions related to electricity generation, air quality, or climate transition? * Is DHSC aware of the public health basis (if any) for the figure of £11.3 million per annum referenced in recent Manx Utilities doc TRANSITION ODM/003 - APPENDIX 13 dated 09 April 2024

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Paul Richardson Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 4752297 17 July 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 25 June 2025, which states:

"I would be grateful if you could provide:
1. any Health Impacts of Air Pollution Exposure in Pulrose/Douglas
any recorded or modelled public health impacts (e.g. rates of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, asthma exacerbations, hospital admissions) in the Pulrose or Douglas area that are understood to be linked to or exacerbated by air pollution from the CCGT plant?
any reports carried out, commissioned, or received on any local air pollution health impact assessments in relation to Isle of Man electricity generation?
2. Monitoring and Public Health Surveillance
details of any monitor respiratory or cardiovascular public health indicators at a local or regional level (e.g. by postcode, area, or GP catchment)?
details of any routine or ad hoc surveillance of illnesses that may be affected by environmental air quality on the Isle of Man?
details of any plans to undertake public health assessments related to air pollution as part of the Island's transition to cleaner energy?
3. Use in Policy
any health impact input to policy decisions related to electricity generation, air quality, or climate transition?
* Is DHSC aware of the public health basis (if any) for the figure of £11.3 million per annum referenced in recent Manx Utilities doc TRANSITION ODM/003 - APPENDIX 13 dated 09 April 2024"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department) is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested as it may be held by The Cabinet Office (Public Health).

You may wish to re-submit your request to The Cabinet Office (Public Health) which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Duty to provide advice and assistance), the Department would also wish to advise that you may also request information from the Manx Utilities Authority on their own web site, which can be found here;

https://www.manxutilities.im/about-us/our-customers/freedom-of-information/

Please quote the reference number 4752297 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.