The return of dust-blows to the Silvermines area of North Tipperary has led to increased health fears among residents.
They have expressed serious concerns to local representatives about the continuous dust blow from the toxic Gortmore Tailings Pond (TMF) facility after the prolonged dry spell.
Health concerns are growing in the area as dust continues to envelop surrounding homesteads and farmland.
Last year the Department of Marine and Natural Resources presented a report into the presence of heavy and toxic metals and suspected lead and zinc poisoning following many years of mining in the entire Silvermines area.
The report, by Cardiff based mining experts, SRK Consultants, revealed that the rehabilitation of the entire Silvermines area, including the TMF facility area, will cost €5.2 million.
The report acknowledges the presence of toxic materials dust and provides recommendations to prevent a repeat of dust blows which have contaminated surrounding areas at various intervals over the past number of years.
Residents have also expressed fears regarding the security of the facility, with breaches of the outer perimeter by a number of cattle.
The site, covering 147 acres, is a legacy of mining operations undertaken by Mogul Ireland prior to the closure of the mine in the early 1980s and contains thousands of tonnes of by-products, including cyanide used in the extraction of zinc, from the mining industry.
Senator Ms Kathleen O'Meara has questioned North Tipperary County Council on its emergency plan for the area in the event of toxic dust-blows.
"Residents in the area have become very concerned following the prolonged dry spell. I met with residents recently and I observed a very clear deterioration of surface vegetation on the top of the Tailings Pond and on one of the banks the vegetation is non existent. There is also a distinct metal tang in the air," she said.
"I want to know what emergency plan the council and Mogul have put in place for such an event.
"According to the SRK report it will take years to rehabilitate the area and implement the recommendations of the report. What plans do the council have in the short-term to minimise dust blow and halt erosion?" Ms O'Meara asked.
North Tipperary senior environment engineer Mr Frank O'Halloran said the council had recently been in contact with Mogul regarding the matter and that the company had signed up to an emergency plan in the event of an environmental problem.
"Steps have been taken to prevent dust blow occurring and the council has been in contact with Mogul on an ongoing basis. The council is conscious of erosion of the surface of the facility and is aware of a number of proposals to cover the bare areas.
"We had a meeting with Mogul last month but the matter is complicated because the ownership of the area is not in their hands any more after it was transferred. In reality the SRK report will provide the solution to the problems in the area," he said.
However, the SRK proposals for the area are complex and involve much inter-related actions through the district to deal with the waste and water problems.
The overall thrust of the recommendations is to prevent dust blow, improve stream quality, remove or isolate hazardous wastes and make mine workings and shafts safe.