The proposed hazardous waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour would affect the air, water and soil as well as the quality of the food chain in the region, the Cork Harbour Area for a Safe Environment group (CHASE) has said.
At a news conference in Cork yesterday, CHASE said there were fears that dioxins, a known by-product of incineration, would be produced at the facility and would add to existing levels caused by the proliferation of industry in the harbour area.
Indaver, the Belgian company which has lodged a planning application with Cork County Council for permission to build the incinerator, has already claimed that its technology will be state-of-the-art and that it will operate at higher safety levels than those required by the EU. CHASE also claims that fugitive emissions from the incinerator which could happen during unexpected power cuts or boiler breakdowns, would add to the health risks.
Indaver has offered to link its on-site monitors directly to the Environmental Protection Agency and to be fully transparent in publishing safety results and its operating performance.
CHASE has also expressed concerns about bottom ash from the plant, which the company says will be rendered harmless before being disposed of as infill for road construction, etc. From next month, the group says, such ash will be classified as hazardous waste, making its disposal extremely costly and rendering the project non-viable. Other concerns were increased traffic volumes in the village of Ringaskiddy.