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Letter by Dr. Philip Dear
Mr O'Keefe, Incineration
poses unacceptable risks to both the health of the people of Carrigaline,
and the wider community, both now and in the future. Specifically, there are concerns in relation to; (i) the emission of particulate fine matter, in the size range 2.5 microns from incinerators. These are very small particles, which travel far down the lungs, to the alveoli, where they interfere with oxygen/blood exchange. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has outlined the problems associated with these particles, namely, that when inhaled, they are closely associated with adverse health effects such as increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits, for heart and lung disease, increased respiratory disease, asthma, decreased lung function, and premature death. Sensitive groups that appear to be at greatest risk to these effects include the elderly, individuals with cardiopulmonary disease such as asthma, and children (1). These small particles can also carry small particles heavy metals and other toxins down very deeply into the lungs. As far back as 1997, the US EPA added two new PM-2.5 standards, set at 15 micrograms per cubic meter and 65 µg/m3, respectively, for the annual and 24-hour standards. Furthermore WHO recently adopted a recommendation to use fine particulate matter 2.5 as an indicator for pollution induced health effects(2). We have no guidelines in Ireland for
the regulation of these particles, and the issue was not addressed
in the Health Research Board's report, and current technology permits
only a small proportion of these incineration particles to be filtered
from the stack emissions. (ii)
the emission of varied chemicals, which will be emitted from
the stack. Essential prerequisites for risk assessments of emissions
from waste incineration are, actual, continual and comprehensive qualitative
and quantitative analytical knowledge of the composition of emissions; region-specific meteorological
dispersion models of the emissions particulate; and evaluation of
the complex mixtures in emissions for their kinetics in and toxicity
for ecosystems and humans (3). None of these criteria has so far been
fulfilled. In particular, incineration greatly enhances the mobility
and bioavailability of toxic metals present in municipal waste incineration
(4). There
are no formal air quality guidelines for many chemicals, of which
we known little. The European Environment Agency has said that there
is insufficient evidence for 75% of the 100,000 chemicals in widespread
industrial use on the European Market. Many of these chemicals end
up being incinerated in various consumer products or are otherwise
released into the environment.
Heating unknown mixtures of different chemicals often produces
novel or unwanted compounds many of which are known to be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. There may
well be a long latency period before any of these adverse effects
are seen - years or even decades. One
of these chemical groups are dioxins. Children exposed to dioxins,
during critical periods of development, while still in the womb, appear
to be the most sensitive and vulnerable to these very persistant fat-soluble
chemicals, which have been
classed as carcinogens. We know that these substances are already
widely dispersed in the global environment due to industrial activity
over the last one hundred and fifty years, in many areas at background
levels known to cause human health effects.
It is also of significance that the protective blood brain
barrier is not fully developed in babies until they are approximately
six months old. This has serious implications for the health of unborn
children and young babies, as many of these chemicals, including dioxins,
are fat soluble, and the brain is largely composed of fatty compounds.
A recent Belgian study found that continuous monitoring, as opposed
to the usual intermittent method, underestimated dioxin releases by
between 30 and 50 times. The
recent Health Research Board report states, 'incineration is associated
with respiratory morbidity'. ..... 'further research, using reliable estimates
of exposure, over long periods of time, is required to determine whether
living near landfill sites or incinerators increases the risk of developing
cancer'. The Health Research Board's report further
states that 'Irish health information systems cannot support routine
monitoring of the health of people living near waste sites'.
It
is important to realise that 'controlling' emissions to air via the
stack by various technologies does not eliminate these chemicals,
they still end up environment, albeit in another form. If
we cannot say that incineration is safe and furthermore, that we have
no way of monitoring any ill-effects, then surely, we should not use
this method of waste management. Lack of evidence of adverse health
effects from 'new' incinerators should not be taken to mean that there
are no adverse health effects from them. Modern does not mean safe.
As
medical practitioners we will be the first to witness the health impact
of this proposal. It is our responsibility both to our present and
future patients to voice our very serious concerns and complete opposition
to this proposal. Furthermore,
we believe that the Health Board will be failing in their statutory
duty if they do not take a strong public stance on this issue.
Yours
Sincerely, Dr Philip References (2)
WHO Regional Office for (3)
Gesundheitswesen 1995 Jan;57(1):26-35 Public health risk caused by
emissions from refuse incinerators] Wassermann O, Kruse H.
(4) Risk Anal 1988 Sep;8(3):343-55
Risks of municipal solid waste incineration: an environmental perspective.
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Cork
Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment |