Incinerator is a threat to health, say doctors
Two recent reports on incineration in the medical literature support this position. In the first study, data from an ongoing study involving more than 500,000 participants showed that air pollution from particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size, produced by the incineration process, was important in determining the risk of death from heart disease.
These particles are not subject to statutory guidelines in Ireland.
The second report investigated congenital anomalies, still births and deaths shortly after birth and found an increased incidence of these conditions in the vicinity of incinerators.
The recent health research board report did not consider particulate matter of 2.5 microns in size and, in any event, stated that we did not have adequate surveillance methods to detect adverse health effects from incineration. We have written to the Minister for the Environment in relation to our concerns.
Dr Elizabeth Cullen,
Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association,
Thomastown,
Kilcullen,
Co Kildare.
