THE oxygen tanks at Deeside's Ysbyty Enfys site are being emptied today (Monday, May 9) with residents urged not to be 'concerned' if they see smoke in the area.

This procedure, at the Deeside Leisure Centre bases rainbow hospital, is taking place as part of the final stage of the site's planned decommissioning.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) says the oxygen system at Deeside is no longer required.

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BCUHB says that, for safety reasons, the leased oxygen tanks cannot be transported away from the site with oxygen inside.

A statement from the health board added: "This standard procedure will be noisy and, depending on the weather conditions, can take up to a few hours. Clouds will be visible from some distance away, but this is not at all harmful and there is no risk to health.

"The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are aware of this planned activity, therefore there is no need for this to be reported to them. The site will be secured while this process takes place."

Here are some questions about the oxygen tanks which have been answered by BCUHB: 

What is in the large tanks / what will the ‘cloud’ be made of?

The tanks/cloud contain oxygen, which isn’t harmful.

Why is this oxygen being emptied?

Ysbyty Enfys Deeside has been decommissioned and the oxygen is no longer needed. 

Will the oxygen be used elsewhere?

Due to safety considerations, instead of reuse for medical purposes the remaining oxygen is being vented in a controlled manner.

Is the process safe?

This is a standard procedure and will be completed in a controlled manner by an expert team. The oxygen release is not harmful and there’s no need for the local community to be concerned.