SCAIL Assessments

What is a SCAIL assessment?

The Simple Calculation of Atmospheric Impact Limits tool (SCAIL) enables the assessment of the impact of air pollution caused by agricultural and combustion sources on semi-natural areas such as Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

SCAIL incorporates two distinct models: SCAIL Agriculture and SCAIL Combustion. These models provide an estimation of the quantity of acidity, nitrogen, or sulphur that is deposited onto a habitat or sensitive ecosystem. The outputs generated by these models can then be utilized to determine whether the critical levels and critical loads for the respective habitat are exceeded or not. These models serve as valuable tools for conducting initial screenings of sources in the context of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) applications, including The Medium Combustion Plant Directive, or Appropriate Assessments under the Habitats Directive.

SCAIL assessments should be undertaken by a specialist air quality consultant. As a screening methodology, they are not significant assessments and should be able to be provided relatively quickly.

What Information is required for a SCAIL assessment?

SCAIL-Agriculture estimate emissions of ammonia, PM₁₀ and odour from processes such as landspreading, manure storage, housing and even grazing, on pig, poultry and cattle farms. The user is required to provide inputs which parameterizes the operation of the farm. Depending on the process, these details might include:

• The number and type of livestock
• the type of building in which they will be housed, and details associated with the building’s ventilation.
• Areas where landspreading takes place.
• When and where grazing takes place.

SCAIL-Combustion is used to estimate the impact of NO_X, PM₁₀ and SO_X from combustion on human receptors and the nearest ecological receptors. To user must input details of the pollutant emission rates, the speed and temperature of discharged exhaust gas and the height and diameter of the chimney. Details of the closest sensitive receptors must also be included in the model. The SCAIL models include a tool that can import all details of all designated ecological receptors within 10km.

How Can Greenavon Help?

Greenavon have significant expertise in carrying out SCAIL screening assessments for agricultural and combustion sources, for both planning and permitting purposes. For a free consultation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.