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Proposed Incinerator
A Clear Case For A Health Impact Assessment
Through the work of the indefatigable Michael Ryan, a clear case for a Health Impact Assessment has been clearly outlined.
The proposed Incinerator for the Granville has received considerable media attention with many residents expressing genuine concerns with any health implications associated with the proposed building.
At a question and answer session held in Donnington, a representative acting for or on behalf of SITA confirmed that filtration at the proposed plant would only filter down to a particle of level of pm 5. I was even more surprised when a SITA representative said to me,
“If the Producer Responsibility Regulations actually worked, there would be no need for incineration”
Quite a statement and acknowledgment of failing regulations.
The concerns are that this level of filtration is not adequate as there are known health risks associated with pm 2.5 that have adverse effects on health, especially with the health of those living down wind of an incinerator.
However, there does appear to be a break down in adequate communication between Telford & Wrekin Council and T&W PCT Primary Care Trust.
A letter dated 15 October 2008 was sent to the Head of Planning and Environment at Telford and Wrekin Council which says,
Dear Michael,
Proposal for Incinerator at the Granville
Following our earlier correspondence on this, I have not received any further information from the council in relation to the (possibly) proposed incinerator at the Granville.
I am aware this is receiving considerable local media attention. In the absence of any further information, I would like to advise that, on the face of it at least, there is a case for a HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT, to be completed for the local population.
As you know, the position of the Environment Agency on this Application has been that any planning application should be considered in parallel with the EPR application. I would be grateful for your confirmation of this.
I look forward to your response.
Yours Sincerely
Dr.Catherine M Woodward
Direstor of Public Health
Copies to:
Simon Conolly, Chief Executive T&W PCT
Richard Webb, Corporate Director – Adult and Consumer Care, T&W Council
Ian Mercer, Business Manager, Environmental Health, T&W Council
Andy Bond, Regulatory Officer- Pollution Prevention & control – Environmental Agency
Rob Carr, Consultant in Communicable Disease, HPA
Helen Onions, Public Health Specialist, T&W PCT
Judith Wright, Director of Public health, South Staffs PCT
The Health Protection Agency has also forwarded additional documentation that seems to support the need for a Health Impact Assessment.
This information states,
The general public can be exposed to atmospheric emissions associated with incinerators through a number of routes;
By direct inhalation and / or by indirect entry via the food chain being of particular importance.
There is NO doubt that air pollution (from all sources) can have an adverse effect on health of susceptible people (i.e, young children, the elderly and particularly those with pre-existing respiratory disease). The adverse affects of airborne particles on health have been established through epidemiological studies and include increases in hospital admissions for both respiratory and cardiovascular disease, increased mortality and when, exposure is over long periods, reductions in life expectancy.
This is only some of the information released by the Health Protection Agency, yet SITA and their colleagues would have us believe that there are no worries.
This proves without a doubt that every resident has every reason to be genuinely concerned about incineration and equally concerned about SITA saying otherwise.
Clearly SITA are to gain in some financial way and this financial gain seems to cloud the honesty of their approach and supports the fact that they do not openly and properly consult, nor do they wish to enter into a public debate.
The life span of this incinerator is estimated to be around 25 years. It is from the 10 year point that adverse health effects on health will become truly measurable.
Unfortunately, I and many others believe that SITA are being less than honest with regards the adverse affects on health and their constant refusal to enter into debate in a public forum raises further concerns.
The HPA clearly state there are genuine adverse health impacts which only support campaign groups concerns.
But why haven’t Telford and Wrekin Council furnished the PCT with more information they clearly require?
QUESTIONS
Further questions are now being asked of Shropshire Primary Care Trust as follows
Why is Shropshire County PCT staying out of this issue but not insisting on a health impact assessment when Dr Rob Carr [of Health Protection Agency] is based in same office building & is named on cc list of Dr Woodward's letter?
Can you please ask whoever sits at Dr Isobel Gillis' desk whether they'll be calling for one?
The Environment Agency's own epidemiology report recommends such a report which should include actual relevant health/mortality data around existing incinerators and yet they never bother to press for one.
Whenm Environment Agency Board Member Alan Dalton blew whistle about failure of Environment Agency to protect, the Environment Agency made sure Dalton got sacked by Michael Meacher MP. I've got copy of dismissal fax dated 19 Dec 2001. Meacher even had the brass neck to turn up to Dalton's funeral a couple of years later.
These are genuine questions being asked by Michael Ryan who has worked freely on this issue for some years. Clearly the documentation from the Health Protection Agency and Telford PCT stating there is a need for a Health Impact Assessment have on proved him right.
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