Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 5

Written Answers. - Waste Management.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

151 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he proposes to take in view of a recent study in Holland which found that dioxins or dioxin like chemicals can cause measurable changes in behaviour in children aged seven to 12 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20938/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The development of policy on waste management, including the use of incineration for refuse disposal, is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Agency. In general, waste management objectives are designed to minimise waste production, encourage recycling and energy recovery while ensuring safe and nuisance free management and disposal so as to protect public health and safeguard the environment. Emissions from waste incineration can contain dioxins which are persistent organic pollutants. In 2001, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government commissioned the Health Research Board to undertake a study into the health impact of landfill sites and incinerators. I am advised that this research is ongoing.

Dioxins can enter the food chainvia grazing animals. An EPA study published in 2001 confirmed the uniformly low levels of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in the environment. The EPA report “Dioxin Levels in the Irish Environment” is an assessment of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in cows milk and is a follow-up to a similar EPA survey undertaken in 1995. All levels recorded were considerably below those taken from a random selection of studies in other EU countries. The results also indicate a reduction in the levels recorded when compared to the 1995 survey. In response to European Union developments, Council Regulation 2375/2001, which came into force on 1 July 2002, sets legal maximum limits for dioxins – polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans – in certain foodstuffs, including meat, fish, milk, eggs, oils and fats and products derived from these foodstuffs. These measures are a key element of the European Union's strategy to protect human health by improving the safety of food. Member states, including Ireland, are expected to carry out random monitoring of foodstuffs for the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs which have similar properties to dioxins. I am advised by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that the information available to date indicates that dioxin levels in Irish produced food are generally lower than those found in many other EU countries. My Department is in the final stages of preparing a national environmental health action plan. This plan will set out appropriate actions for dealing with a wide range of environmental health haz ards including dioxins. The plan will also address issues concerning children's health and the environment.