Pollution linked to health

CONCERNED residents in an area in Limerick plagued by unexplained environmental problems and ill health want the State to examine a similar phenomenon in Australia.

People living near Askeaton made the call after the publication of fresh evidence that links industrial pollution to ill health.

The new report was compiled about the Borserio family living close to the Wagerup alumina refinery in Yarloop in western Australia.

Since the late 1980s Askeaton families like the Geoghegans and the McNamaras have alleged that their health is suffering because they live close to the Aughinish Alumina refinery. The findings of the Australian report demonstrate that people living in both Askeaton and Yarloop have suffered the same illnesses, which include:

* Irritated nose, sinus pain, nose blockage, burning throat and persistent coughing.

* Fatigue and sleep disturbances.

* Nausea, upset stomach and sweating.

* Headaches and feeling light-headed.

* Aching joints and unexplained pains.

There were also similarities in the affects on animals. There was a fall-off in the milk yield, calves began coughing and developed red eye, cows went lame for no particular reason and animals became infertile.

The animals improved when they were moved to lands far away from the plant.

Significantly, these problems were first reported before a controversial liquor burner was installed in the Wagerup alumina plant.

There is no such burner in the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Askeaton.

The health scares in Australia were first reported to Dr Moira Somers, who has since reported the problems to several State authorities. The plant’s owners, Alcoa, have subsequently paid out millions in compensation to workers who were affected by the burner.

They are also buying land from farmers and extending the buffer zone around the refinery.

While a 5.3 million EPA-led probe here, run over five years, failed to find any definite reasons for the health problems in Askeaton, an analysis of the EPA report by the Consumers’ Association of Ireland concluded that industrial pollution was responsible.

Responding to the findings of the Australian report, local residents said the similarities were “astounding.” The Cappagh Farm Support Group (CFSG) said the findings should spark a new inquiry.

“This proves what we've been saying for the last 12 years. We have been through the exact same thing. There is no way that the State can keep running away from this massive environmental scandal,” CFSG spokesperson Pat Geoghegan said.

Aughinish Alumina rejected the findings of the Australian report, saying that “the situation remains the same as far as we're concerned. We're an alumina plant but we’re involved in a different process.

“A full State inquiry concluded that industrial pollution was not causing any damage here,” a spokesperson said.