PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: November 13, 2001

CHASE to oppose Belgian invader

CHASE (Cork Harbour Area for a Safe Environment) intends to lodge an objection to the planning application for the hazardous waste incinerator by Indaver in Ringaskiddy.  CHASE is one of a growing number of groups opposed to the proposal because of the potential health effects of an incinerator on the Cork community (See note below). 

CHASE is not satisfied with Indaver’s integrity with regard to the proposed Materials Recovery Facility.  CHASE would question whether this facility is conditional upon the Incinerator being built.  With a high uptake of recycling (e.g. over 50%), Cork would be unable to sustain adequate waste provision for an incinerator.  Would Indaver then propose to import waste to maintain the economic operation of an incinerator?  For this reason, CHASE sees the MRF facility as little more than a PR exercise on the part of Indaver.  The concept of a ‘bring’ facility without any kerbside collection is designed to fail.  If it were designed to succeed, Indaver would be getting rid of their market.

There are a number of other questions, which should be put to Indaver (attached).  CHASE will be holding a Press Conference on Friday to announce full details of their opposition, and draft alternative strategy for hazardous waste treatment. 

Note on Dioxin emission:  Incinerators are the primary cause of dioxin in the environment. (Dioxin is formed by burning of chlorine-based chemical compounds with hydrocarbons, 95% of dioxin in the environment comes from burning chlorinated wastes, i.e. plastics).  Dioxin is a class 1 carcinogen, meaning a known human carcinogen.  In a Belgian study group, of 231 people living within a 3mile radius of an incinerator, 98 had cancer.  . Despite pro-incinerator arguments that garden fires produce as much dioxin as incineration, studies from the European Dioxin Inventory show that incineration accounts for more than 64%.  Garden fires accounts for 0.9%.  Road transport accounts for 0.5%.

-----   QUESTIONS ATTACHED   ----

For further information contact:

Linda Fitzpatrick, CHASE PR Team

Tel:           021 4374506

Mobile:     086 8181025

E-mail:       Linda@mediasat.ie

For comment contact:

Sean Cronin, Chairperson, CHASE

Mobile:     087 6777358

QUESTIONS, WHICH INDAVER NEEDS TO ANSWER FOR CORK

The following are some questions, which Indaver should answer with regard to its proposal for Incinerator and MRF facility:

• Is it true that the Belgian Govt (majority shareholders of Indaver) have placed a moratorium on mass burn incineration in Flanders where Indaver operate their plants?  Is this why Indaver is exporting facilities to Ireland?
• Are we getting the most recent technology?
• Are there any elected officials who are either financial beneficiaries of shareholders of either Indaver Irl or any related Company?
• Is it true that the most recent World Health Organisation report classes Dioxin as a Class 1 carcinogen?
• Was Mr John Aherne of Indaver aware he was using an outdated and superceded WHO report when he quoted that there is no record of human fatality linked to dioxin?
• Is it true that in Belgium a recent study group showed cancer in 98 out of 231 people within a 3mile radius of an incinerator? ( In Ringaskiddy this would extend to Cobh, Crosshaven, Ringaskiddy, Carrigaline, Monkstown, Passage, etc)
• Will an independent body be testing or will monitoring be done by the EPA, who do not do any continuous monitoring, are a government body, and give advance notice of testing?
• How much toxic ash will be created?
• Now that the EU will no longer permit its use in building materials and landfill, how will the fly ash and bottom ash (which is now also classified as toxic) be disposed of?
• How are Indaver planning to wash the trucks carrying the toxic ash and treat the resulting contaminated water?
• If the Incinerator is blocked will Indaver go ahead with the MRF?
• How do Indaver reconcile the fact that the MRF and Incinerator will be in competition for the same waste?
• If the Incinerator is to succeed, the MRF cannot reach its full potential, is the MRF then just a PR exercise?

-----   ENDS   ----

About Cork Harbour for a Safe Environment (CHASE)

CSE was originally formed by a group of people from the Greater Carrigaline area, concerned about the health, environmental and economic implications of solutions proposed by Minister Noel Dempsey to the current national waste crisis in Ireland, i.e. to build 7 incinerators nationwide, 2 of which (1 hazardous waste, 1 municipal waste) are proposed for Ringaskiddy.  The group changed its name to Cork Harbour for a Safe Environment (CHASE)  to reflect the fact that Incineration is a Cork issue, not just a Carrigaline issue.   CHASE is currently working to bring these concerns to the public arena, together with a proposal for a safer, more sustainable non-burn alternative.