State lacks resources to find waste site risks, says study

IRELAND has insufficient resources to carry out adequate risk assessments for proposed waste management facilities, a report revealed yesterday.

“The State’s existing health information systems cannot support routine monitoring of the health of people living near waste sites,” said Dr Dominique Crowley, of University College Dublin (UCD).

A number of leading academics from Cork and Dublin contributed to a major Health Research Board study into the health and environmental effects of landfills and incineration.

The report says there is some evidence of a link between incinerators and respiratory illnesses, but Dr Crowley said: “The evidence for a link between cancer and proximity to an incinerator is not conclusive.

“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.”

Another member of the team, Dr Anthony Staines said he would have no problem sending his children to a school in the shadow of an incineration plant.

At the launch of the report, Brian Hanratty, a campaigner opposed to a planned incinerator in Co Meath, which is at appeal stage, asked whether the authors would be happy to send their children to school hundreds of yards from a plant.

Dr Staines replied: “The short answer is yes.” The airborne particles emitted from any such plant would be spread over a wide area, he said.

But Dr Staines, also of UCD, admitted it was extremely difficult to assess the risks to the health of people living near incinerators.

The team reviewed national and international studies and looked at recent developments in the area. The researchers admitted that many of the reports related to older technologies.

Meath Fine Gael TD John Bruton called for an immediate halt to new plants, claiming the report has “substantial implications for people living in the vicinity of incinerators”.

“The finding that the Irish State does not have the means of assessing the risk involved is damning as far as the Government is concerned,” the former Taoiseach said.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen said: “I am satisfied that under the rigorous environmental licensing system operated by the EPA, proposed new facilities will not present a significant risk to public health or the environment. I want to see our waste properly managed in modern, well-regulated facilities.”

Indaver, the Belgian company which plans to build incinerators at Carranstown, Co Meath, and Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, welcomed the report, saying it gave no reasons to delay the development of modern waste infrastructure in Ireland.

Indaver general manager John Ahern said: “Doing nothing about the crisis is no longer an option.”

Mr Ahern also said his company would support the research and development needs identified in the report, including the monitoring of the health of people living near waste sites.