GP says plan is a 'threat to health"

Nobber GP Dr Martin White has told the Bord Pleanala oral hearing that the proposal to build an incinerator is potentially the most significant threat to the health of the most vulnerable groups in the local population that he will encounter during his professional life. Dr White said the danger to the health of the local population will arise from many aspects of the incinerator. 'Material that has been burned is not destroyed,' he said. 'It is changed into many types of material, which, in general, will be potentially more harmful and toxic to the environment and people than the original biomass.' Dr White said the obvious problems will arise from emissions, particulate matter, toxic chemicals and gases. Research shows that current EU regulations to control emissions are not sufficient to prevent serious health problems. Incinerators are not able to prevent emissions of large amounts of ultra-fine particulate matter and nano particles. These types of material are potentially even more toxic to human health and will travel more easily and longer distances to affect a much wider area and larger population.' Dr White outlined the dangers of toxic gases and chemicals from biomass incineration, as well as 'highly toxic fly ash, which is so toxic that it must be transported through the local area and exported out of the country'. Other additional risks include the increased heavy vehicle traffic and its emissions and road safety aspect. Dr White was supported in his submission by Mrs Blanaid White. On Thursday, presentations were also made by a number of experts on behalf of College Proteins. Dr Edward Porter, director for air quality and climate with AWN consulting, concluded that the impact of the facility in terms of air quality, odour and climate will not be significantly adverse. Veterinary surgeon Kevin Dodd said that, provided that the technology functions as specified and there is strict verifiable compliance with conditions, the project will not be detrimental to the health of animals in the area. John Nyhan, project leader for College Proteins, said that the proposed development is completely different to the existing rendering plant, and that College Proteins makes substantial and continuous improvement and investment in plant and transport to ensure best practice, and adopts a pro-active management addressing all operational issues. Dr Dieter Schrenk, professor of toxicology at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, said the current background situation reflects typical rural air quality conditions. In his summary, Dr Schrenk said that the predicted ambient air values for major air pollutants generated from the project do not exceed health-related guidelines and limits. A worst-case scenario does not indicate any relevant additional exposure for residents living in the vicinity, and the project will not lead to any additional health risk or adverse health effects, he predicted.