No health checks for waste area residents

I WAS stunned to read Mary Dundon's article headlined 'No health check set-up near waste sites' (Irish Examiner, November 3).

In the article, EPA director general Mary Kelly warned the Government there was no system in place routinely to monitor the health of people living near incinerators and waste sites.

It went on to remind the Department of Health that this issue was a matter for them and the health boards.

Still, the EPA issued licences in Meath and Cork knowing this situation existed. The EPA did not seek the advice of any in-house or external medical expert before granting the draft waste licence.

We in Cork Harbour already have six in-house incinerators and Indaver wish to put in a commercial toxic incinerator with far more capacity than is needed.

Not only that, but it was pointed out to Indaver that if they waited six weeks to put in their appeal for material contravention of our development plan they would give our communities the opportunity to discuss health under the new act that was coming in. They disregarded this advice. Why?

Now we're in the position that the EPA can give us no protection and are not responsible for our health. Neither is any government department nor the Health and Safety Authority (as we found out at the oral hearing), so who is responsible for our health? We are; but perhaps in future you the taxpayer will be after yet another tribunal.

Mamie Bowen
Glenville
Monkstown
Co Cork

Irish Examiner - 10 November 2004