CHASE Press Release - 30 April, 2009
INDAVER DOCTOR ECHOS CHASE CLAIMS OF UNCREDIBLE DIOXIN ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS
FIGURES SHOW 20% INCREASE IN COBH DIOXIN LEVELS

Dr Fergal Callaghan, presenting as Indavers Medical Expert at this mornings Oral Hearing, has agreed with CHASE longstanding claims that current methods of dioxin assessment are not credible.

Dr Callaghan confirmed in his spoken presentation that the average individual system used for assessment of risk 'is not a credible scenario' (The average used is a 65kg working man model known as the MARI man).

As this evidence was outside of what Dr Callaghan had circulated in written form, CHASE Solicitor, Mr Joe Noonan, asked that it be written into the evidence and repeated at the Questions and Answers session next week, so that those who were not in attendance would be aware that this statement was made.

CHASE have repeatedly stated since the outset of this campaign that this method of assessment is not adequate and that it is the young, the unborn, the elderly and the vulnerable that are most at risk from dioxins.

The World Health Organisation Document 'Dioxins and their Effects on Human Health' circulated by Indaver, states that "The developing fetus is most sensitive to dioxin exposure. The newborn, with rapidly developing organ systems, may also be more vulnerable to certain effects.'

Evidence to this effect was given by Dr Elizabeth Cullen, Co Chairperson, Irish Doctors Environmental Organisation at the opening of this hearing, and further medical experts will present for CHASE during the Hearing.

Dr Callaghan also produced figures which showed a 20% increase in dioxin levels at the Cobh Sample Site between 2001 and 2008.

National Cancer Registry Statistics released last Summer showed Cobh to have a cancer incidence 44% above the national average.

ENDS

Contacts:
Mary O’Leary, 086 8177737, 021 4811952
Linda FitzPatrick, 087 7410849, 021 4374506