asked the Minister for the Environment if he will indicate the accepted levels of lead pollution; and if he is satisfied that such levels in this country and in Dublin city in particular, are safe to the health of the general public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lead Pollution.
2.
Directive 82/884/EEC of 3 December 1982 prescribes a limit value for lead in air of two microgrammes per cubic metre, expressed as an annual mean concentration. Member states are required to take the necessary measures to ensure that by December 1987 this limit value is observed.
Levels of lead in air are currently monitored by Dublin Corporation at six stations throughout the city. Results which are within the limit set down in the directive have been obtained except at one station, located in the vicinity of a possible industrial source, where the levels were slightly in excess of the limit last year.
My Department will shortly be issuing a circular letter to local authorities arising from the provisions of the 1982 directive and asking them to examine the necessity and scope for lead monitoring in their areas. The legislation on air pollution which is being prepared in my Department will, of course, take full account of the need to control lead emissions in the interests of human health.
Is the Minister aware that in Price's Lane lead smelting, the stock piling and leaking of sulphuric acid batteries and the daily handling of lead cable supplied by Bord Telecom is conducted by a firm who are contravening the health regulations? In spite of what the Minister has said about two microgrammes per cubic metre, is he aware that the excessive levels of lead in the air in that area were hundreds of times — I am not exaggerating because, in fact, it has been calculated at thousands of times — in excess of accepted levels? Will the Minister take immediate steps to dealt with that matter?
The Deputy should endeavour to make his questions more precise.
Will the Minister take immediate steps to see that that plant is closed down or relocated immediately?
I should like to tell the Deputy that in regard to monitoring that plant the corporation have encountered practical problems concerning the location of a monitor. To install a monitor the corporation must depend on the goodwill of local residents. They have made efforts to monitor the air on a number of occasions but there were objections to the siting of the equipment because it involves the use of a pump which is somewhat noisy. It is necessary to monitor the air over a period. The corporation made a number of attempts to locate the monitor in different areas but came up against objections to the noise of the equipment involved. The local authority is pursuing the matter in the courts against the firm. Hopefully, they will be successful and in that event the corporation will be in a position to insist on stricter and higher standards than apply up to now. I am acquainted with the area because it is close to where I reside. I should like to assure the Deputy that we are doing all we can. If we got co-operation on the sitting of the monitor it would be a big help.
Surely the Minister is aware that there is very little noise level when taking blood samples? The residents have been taking blood samples, with medical advice, from the children living in this locality. If the Minister is aware of that, he must also be aware that irreversible brain damage is caused to young children residing in this area. It is no use being told in this House that noise from a pump is the cause of delays in this regard. I ask the Minister to make a decision to see that that plant is closed down immediately. Is the Minister aware that the residents protested outside this building on the first day after the recess two weeks ago?
Yes, I am aware. I am not using the excuse that a monitor cannot be placed there. I said it would be better if it was there because it would strengthen the case. The local authority are pursuing a case against this man in the courts at present.
This is sub judice.
If a successful conclusion is reached, I am satisfied action can be taken quickly. I am very concerned about this case but there are constraints. I cannot simply close down a business overnight.
Twenty-five years.
I am not going to listen to any more about this case.