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No safe level of exposure to tiny particulates, says toxico pathologist

April 26, 2016 by CHASE

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Toxico-pathologist and nano-particulate expert, Professor Vyvyan Howard, speaking at this mornings Oral Hearing (Day 6) said that “Chronic low dose exposure to ultra fine particles reduces life expectancy” and cited several published studies which show that “filters are not capable of arresting these particles” which “pass through any filtration system undetected” and also warned that statutory limits are not protective.

Concerned primarily with very tiny particles (PM0.1) Prof Howard outlined that it is the number of particles, rather than their mass, which is the affecting factor in the damage that they will do and criticised the control mechanism as being weight based rather than number based, which was misleading in terms of the numbers of nano particles.

Prof Howard explained that organic compounds such as dioxin and dioxin like compounds form on tiny particles which become highly reactive because they become highly crystallised and charged.  He described how nano particles are about the same size as viruses and travel around the body, passing through air and blood to be assimilated into the bloodstream where they travel to other organs. He stated that small cumulative portions cause low grade chronic inflammation resulting in chronic respiratory disease and over time attack on lining of the arteries causing cardiovascular issues.

Prof Howard cited small children as being more vulnerable to this effect than adults, because they breathe more air per unit of body weight, and “have smaller airways which means they need less inflammation to induce turbulence, i.e. asthma.”

Looking for clarification on the issue of defined guide levels for tiny particles, Oral Hearing Inspector, Derek Daly’s asked  “Are there defined safe levels in relation to humans?”, Professor Howard clarified “no, there are not”.

Prof Howard said that the EU recognises that there will be 400,000 deaths across the EU attributed to ultra-fine particles, and explicitly stated that it is accepted that we “cannot detect a level at which no harm occurs”.

Waste Management Expert Colm MacDowell also presented for CHASE, and highlighted the lack of clarity raised by the application on the issue of a hazardous waste transfer station.  He said that he had “never seen a hazardous waste incinerator operate without a hazardous waste transfer station” and questioned if this was a “mission creep approach” where a transfer station would be applied for at a later stage.  Mr MacDowell also cricised the proposal saying it was “At best, old and outdated and was not future proofing the Irish Economy and Irish Market”. Read Submission

Planning and Development Consultant,  Tricia O’Sullivan, speaking on behalf of CHASE delivered a comprehensive analysis of National and Local planning strategy and highlighted requirements in the County Development Plan to protect areas of strategic employment and submitted “how the many submissions against this proposal have consistently highlighted the detrimental affects to employment in the area that would result from this application.” Read Submission

Epidemiologist Prof Anthony Staines, is scheduled to speak on behalf of CHASE tomorrow.

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

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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