Madam, - We condemn unreservedly the decision by An Bord Pleanála to allow the building of a toxic waste incinerator in Ringsakiddy.
Two recent reports in the medical literature support this position. In the first study, data from an ongoing study involving more than half-a-million participants showed that air pollution from particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size, produced by the incineration process, was important in determining the risk of death from heart disease. These particles are not subject to statutory guidelines in Ireland.
The second report investigated congenital anomalies, stillbirths and deaths shortly after birth and found an increased incidence of these in the vicinity of incinerators.
The recent Health Research Board report did not consider particulate matter of 2.5 microns in size and in any event said we did not have adequate surveillance methods to detect adverse health effects from incineration.- Yours, etc.,
Dr ELIZABETH CULLEN,
Irish Doctors'
Environmental Association,
Thomastown,
Kilcullen,
Co Kildare.