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No measuring of nanoparticles – not practical, Indaver tell hearing

May 15, 2016 by CHASE

EPA PM10

Ms Grace McCormack, Quality & Environmental Manager MSW, Indaver Ireland told the hearing that Indaver have “no practical method for measuring nanoparticles” and under their licence conditions there is “no requirement to measure for them” but that they measure for PM10 and PM2.5 particles four times a year.

Ms McCormack was responding to a question posed by Dr Gordon Reid, Cork Greens, enquiring about the capability of Indaver’s incinerator to measure nanoparticles at the question and answer session (Thur 12 May, Day 15) on the effects of emissions.

Nanoparticles are the very tiny particles (PM0.1) which cannot be trapped by stack filters, and have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years.  Nanoparticles cause low grade chronic inflammation resulting in chronic respiratory disease and over time attack on lining of the arteries causing cardiovascular issues.

Dr Vyvyan Howard, Toxicopathologist and nanoparticle expert in his submission on behalf of CHASE earlier in the hearing stated that “Chronic low dose exposure to ultra fine particles reduces life expectancy” and outlined several published studies which show that “filters are not capable of arresting these particles which pass through any filtration system undetected.” (Read more about Dr Howard’s presentation)

Discussing the effect of emissions on the Cork Harbour Special Protected area (SPA), Mary O’Leary asked Dr Jervis Good, National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) if they were aware of the absence of monitoring in Cork Harbour, regarding the NPWS recommendation for monitoring for critical issues in the food chain.

Dr Good replied that they were “not aware off the fact referred to, and it is not really an area of concern for a public authority, but a matter for the EPA”.

Mary O’Leary replied that it is “difficult to understand how NWPS can have such faith in monitoring when there is no monitoring in Cork Harbour.”

The last public monitoring by the EPA was for a 6 month period from August 2007 to March 2008.  No further monitoring has been done since, even though those tests returned PM10 levels above the upper assessment threshold and edging towards limit values. Levels above the upper assessment threshold require ongoing monitoring, however no monitoring has been carried out since. (Report here: Read EPA report)

CHASE Chairperson Mary O’Leary said “It’s important to question who would carry out the monitoring required by NWPS because it is not an acceptable situation that it would be done by the applicant, Indaver, and it is important to highlight that Cork Harbour is permanently in the incredible situation where no monitoring is being carried out at all, even though the 2007/2008 monitoring results required ongoing monitoring be carried out.”

The hearing will resume on Monday at 3pm and is expected to conclude later in the week.

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Filed Under: An Bord Pleanala, News, OH2016 Press Release, Press Releases

Oral Hearing 2016 headlines

  • Serious dioxin figure irregularities exposed as Hearing comes to close
  • No measuring of nanoparticles – not practical, Indaver tell hearing
  • Indaver facility will carry strategic implications for the State – Indaver offer to shut down for Department when needed
  • Indaver to abandon fire fighting after just 2 hours
  • Final Submissions today, questions next week
  • Indaver selective quotation omits that incinerators likely to cause premature deaths
  • 13 year old Cobh student calls for baseline health study for Harbour
  • “There is no risk assessment” – says top Epidemiologist Anthony Staines
  • No safe level of exposure to tiny particulates, says toxico pathologist
  • Royal flush as all TD’s unite to protect the new era for Cork Harbour
  • Ringaskiddy incinerator live plume plot launched
  • Statement from Department of Defence
  • Human Health needs the same standard as protected species: CHASE Opening Statement
  • Indaver experts confirm: High Tide is now inside the site boundary. No separate Health Impact Assessment
  • Packed hearing opens at Carrigaline Court Hotel
  • Full CHASE Submission to An Bord Pleanala

TIMELINE Donate - GO FUND ME


Live animation of today's plume. (With thanks to Plume Plotter)

TIMELINE

20 years of key dates from when the first planning application was lodged with Cork County Council in November 2001.  VIEW TIMELINE.

ABOUT CHASE

CHASE is an alliance of groups campaigning since 2001 to stop the construction of a large 240,000 tonne commercial incinerator in Cork Harbour. The third application from Indaver Ireland was lodged … Read More...

Video Gallery

Softday – As I Roved Out One Morning from Sirius Arts Centre on Vimeo.

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    The campaign, at the time of publication, is still ongoing and can be followed online at www.chasecorkharbour.com
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ORAL HEARING 2016 NEWS

  • Serious dioxin figure irregularities exposed as Hearing comes to close
  • No measuring of nanoparticles – not practical, Indaver tell hearing
  • Indaver facility will carry strategic implications for the State – Indaver offer to shut down for Department when needed
  • Indaver to abandon fire fighting after just 2 hours
  • Final Submissions today, questions next week
  • Indaver selective quotation omits that incinerators likely to cause premature deaths
  • 13 year old Cobh student calls for baseline health study for Harbour
  • “There is no risk assessment” – says top Epidemiologist Anthony Staines
  • No safe level of exposure to tiny particulates, says toxico pathologist
  • Royal flush as all TD’s unite to protect the new era for Cork Harbour
  • Ringaskiddy incinerator live plume plot launched
  • Statement from Department of Defence
  • Human Health needs the same standard as protected species: CHASE Opening Statement
  • Indaver experts confirm: High Tide is now inside the site boundary. No separate Health Impact Assessment
  • Packed hearing opens at Carrigaline Court Hotel
  • Full CHASE Submission to An Bord Pleanala

ORAL HEARING DIARY, from Catriona Reid

A day by day account of the oral hearing experience from Catriona Reid, who was 16 years old at the time and has since published an account in book form. READ DIARY

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