The water supply to homes in east Co Wicklow could be contaminated following the discovery of illegal dumping of surgical waste near Baltinglass, according to local TD Mr Billy Timmons.
As forensic experts sift through the waste at the site at Whitestown near Baltinglass, the Fine Gael TD has called for immediate testing of water from rivers around the site.
"There are feeder streams which run into the Slaney river which is adjacent to this area. There are serious and urgent concerns for the safety and environmental implications of the illegal dumping of hospital waste," he said.
Inquiries by Wicklow County Council and the Eastern Regional Health Authority into the dumping of surgical waste are already under way after the discovery of a similar dump in the Wicklow mountains last month.
The discovery of the waste - which included syringes, blood-stained swabs and bandages, and other used surgical matter - was made near the Glen of Imaal.
The area around yesterday’s discovery has been sealed off by Wicklow County Council.
The Labour Party's spokeswoman on health, Ms Liz McManus, who is also a TD for Wicklow, said prosecutions must take place after the discovery of the waste.
"It is clear that there are cowboy operators in the waste business who are using County Wicklow as a low-cost dump to dispose of dangerous and hazardous waste. The only motivating factor for these criminals is greed, plain and simple," Ms McManus said.