Harbour area dioxin levels are way under EU limits
Ms Hurley’s letter ignores the widely reported fact that the levels in the Ringaskiddy sample, as in the other samples from the Cork Harbour area, were less than one-tenth of the EU limit. It also ignores the fact that five other samples from around Ireland in the 2004 survey had results higher than in Ringaskiddy. Again, all of these samples had dioxin levels at a small fraction of the EU limit and thus should not be a cause for concern. There are a number of further facts from the report that can help to put the matter in context. The 2004 Ringaskiddy level in this national survey, while twice that from the 2000 survey, was nevertheless lower than those in samples taken from the Cork harbour area in 1995.
In fact, the report shows that it was less than half of the maximum 1995 value from the harbour area.
Again, for the harbour area overall, it is worth repeating that the average dioxin level in the samples in the EPA 2004 survey were less than those recorded in the 2000 survey and significantly lower than those recorded in 1995. Overall, the dioxin level recorded in Ringaskiddy is extremely low and is within the range of Irish samples which, in turn, are very low in a European context.
I trust that these facts will help put such recent comment on the report into some perspective.
Larry Stapleton
Director
Office of Environmental Assessment
EPA
Johnstown Castle
Co Wexford
