Fears lands are poisoned

Tests carried out on some soil in the area already confirm the presence of the highly toxic substance, PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl), on a green area adjacent to Dukesmeadows, off the Bennettsbridge Road, near Kilkenny city.

The contaminated soil is believed to have come from the River Nore.

Material removed from the river as part of drainage works was left on the site at Dukesmeadows and local councillor, Fianna Fáil’s Joe Reidy, is concerned about the threat to public health.

“While the level of the PCBs found is small, it is highly significant and the risk is real because this substance, even in very small amounts, is highly toxic.

The local councillor now wants all the material deposited at Dukesmeadows, as part of the Nore Flood Relief Scheme, to be removed immediately.

“We cannot afford to take a chance and already fears have been expressed that rats and crows might be spreading the PCBs to other areas to other areas,” he said.

Locals are also up in arms about the discovery of toxic materials at the play area and the resident’s association at Dukesmeadows is so concerned it has written to the environment minister demanding action.

The traces were found in a field near their homes which is used by the children of the area as an unofficial play area.

They feel that such contaminated river sediment should not be disposed of on a site where children will be playing in future.

“We are not experts and cannot comment on the hazards this sediment might pose to human health,” the secretary of the Dukesmeadows Residents’ Association, Marian O’Sullivan, said in the letter to Minister Martin Cullen.

A number of local and State agencies are carrying out investigations into the presence of the PCBs in the soil.

The South Eastern Health Board has been informed. It is seeking expert advice on the results of the tests.

The Environmental Protection Agency, the Health and Safety Authority and the county council have also been informed.

Workers on the river drainage system also fear they may have been exposed to the substance when it was being taken from the river and transported by lorry from the Nore to Dukesmeadows.