'Super' incinerator risks lives of children warns former GP

Published on Wednesday 20 February 2008 09:17

CHILDREN'S lives will be put at risk if a £140 million "super" incinerator is built in East Lothian, an expert warned today.

Environmental campaigner and former GP Dr Dick van Steenis has warned that some of the dangerous particulates produced during incineration would be too small to be picked up by filters at the proposed Dunbar plant.

He claims it would lead to increased rates of infant mortality as well as birth defects, respiratory diseases and cancers.

The plans put forward by waste contractor Viridor would see a plant built at Oxwellmains, near Dunbar, capable of dealing with 450,000 tonnes of waste a year – more than twice the amount produced by Edinburgh.

Dr van Steenis – who has spent over a decade researching the link between industrial pollutants and health conditions – pointed to a study of infant mortality rates in London's 625 electoral wards.

The 62 wards which recorded the highest death rates – all over nine deaths per 1000 births between 2003 and 2006 – were all subject to incinerator emissions.

Campaigners from pressure group Irate today said Dr van Steenis' support was another reason why the council should throw out the planning application.

Dr van Steenis said: "If the Dunbar incinerator is built, the infant death rate will soar in those areas receiving particulate emissions from the incinerator.

"Particulates below PM 2.5 size cannot be collected by the methods used by the incinerator and can cause infant deaths, birth defects, low birth weight babies and a wide range of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

"Anyone residing or working within the fallout range (16 miles) of the Dunbar incinerator – and that includes Haddington, East Linton and North Berwick – will be exposed to harmful emissions which will lead to these diseases."

But Viridor hit back, saying PM 2.5 particle emissions are not unique to incinerators, with traffic emissions among the other big culprits for this type of pollution.

A Viridor spokeswoman said: "We deplore scare mongering of this type. It is totally irresponsible to attempt to frighten local people. Energy from waste is one of the most strictly-regulated industrial processes in Europe."

Irate's spokesman, Philip Banks, said: "We very much welcome the support of an internationally respected expert."

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