Demands for probe of ‘cancer clusters’
Labour TD Ciaran Lynch raised concerns that the inquiry into the Haulbowline Island environmental scandal exposed by the Irish Examiner will not address health concerns.
A report by the National Cancer Registry indicated cancer rates for the Cobh urban area, when compared with Ireland at large, were up to 44% higher than expected.
“I am concerned the official report being carried out may turn out to be a bit of a whitewash,” Mr Lynch said.
“The indications are that the report is benchmarking itself against a 2005 report and I do not think the terms of reference go far enough.
“I’m concerned the Environment Minister and the Government will use the new report as an excuse to merely contain the site, rather than actually clean up the area.
“The new report is set in the terms of reference of the 2005 one and it does not take into account new information that has come to light over the past 12 months regarding cancer and other health matters.
“If no recommendations are made in these matters regarding what appear to be alarmingly high cancer rates in the harbour area, then we need a fully independent report into that state of affairs. The people of Cork expect — and deserve — nothing less than that,” he added.
Director of environmental consultants White Young Green (WYG) Kevin Cleary, charged with producing a report for the Government, has said test results are “not flagging issues of major concern at this stage”.
On a recent visit with Environment Minister John Gormley, he said there was no trace of the deadly chemical Chromium 6 in water or dust samples taken from the area.
Traces of the cancer-causing chemical were found in materials removed from the site for treatment in Germany. That treatment firm flagged its concerns to subcontractors working on the site.
But Mr Cleary said the tests conducted over the summer showed the chemical has not leached or seeped from the site.
The report is due within weeks, with Mr Gormley promising Government action to implement its recommendations.
It emerged in late June that an estimated 500,000 tonnes of toxic waste was found buried at the former Irish Steel site at Haulbowline Island.
