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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Waste Management.

John Gormley

Question:

811 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the health risks associated with dioxins produced by incinerators. [1513/01]

Dioxins are ubiquitous in the environment, and arise from a range of combustion sources, diffuse and otherwise. In 1997 the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an agency of the World Health Organisation, classed the most toxic dioxin compound as a known human carcinogen. The WHO also considers that there is a level of exposure to dioxins below which cancer risk would be negligible. Accordingly, in 1998, it agreed on a tolerable daily intake guideline for dioxins, based on a thorough evaluation of all available data on the toxicological effects of dioxins, and the most up-to-date methods of interpretation.

Detailed information regarding the known effects of dioxins on human health is contained in a comprehensive, published, 1999 EU report, Compilation of EU Dioxin Exposure and Health Data. Clearly, because of the potential toxic effects of exposure to dioxins, their emission must, where possible, be strictly controlled and minimised, to ensure that exposure does not exceed relevant guidelines and standards.

Irish environmental legislation, in particular the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, provides for the integrated licensing and comprehensive environmental control of waste incineration facilities. The EPA must take the precautionary principle into account and is precluded from granting an integrated licence unless, among other considerations, it is satisfied that the activity concerned will not endanger human health or harm the environment.

In licensing incineration facilities, the EPA already applies a flue gas emission limit value for dioxins of 0.1 nanograms, that is one ten thousand millionth of a gram, per cubic metre of gas emitted. This is an extremely stringent standard, which will shortly be adopted by the EU generally, under the proposed Council Directive on the incineration of waste. The European Commission estimates that the implementation of this directive will result in a 99% reduction in emissions of dioxins from waste incineration – relative to 1993/1995 – and anticipates that the contribution of municipal and clinical waste incineration to overall emissions of dioxins in Europe would be reduced to 0.3%, assuming the output of other sources remains unchanged.

Overall, I am advised that emissions from proposed new thermal treatment facilities, employing modern technologies and subject to compliance with strict environmental standards, should not have any appreciable environmental impact or contribute significantly to background levels of dioxins locally or nationally.

Question No. 812 answered with Question No. 760.

Question No. 813 answered with Question No. 768.
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