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Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

Feel it's too late to do anything about the Poolbeg incinerator? Not so

Fear of an incinerator in the city of Dublin is not irrational – and we need to demand better controls and monitoring before it begins to burn.

LIFE GOES ON as normal in Sandymount, Dublin, where the sea front bustles with life, people jogging, children running around on the beach when the tide is out.

Such a beautiful spectacle of nature, one you would hardly find in any other capital’s city centre.

But for me, an Italian who has been an environmental activist for many years and has recently moved to this part of the world, the Poolbeg incinerator is a very ominous presence. In my country incinerators have been around for a couple of decades and a few more are in the pipeline. Almost everywhere, the presence of incinerators has generated widespread protest among the local population. I remember visiting one in Acerra, in the South of Italy, while I was accompanying a delegation of international activists. Local protestors were escorting us, recounting the experience of their fight against what they considered a serious danger to their health.

Theirs was not an irrational fear, nor an example of the NIMBY syndrome. There are national and international studies that link the presence of incinerators to an increase in a series of pathologies, ranging from respiratory diseases to tumours. A study conducted in Tuscany confirmed the epidemiological evidence on health effects and the increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Similar studies also confirmed increased risks of miscarriage and preterm births among local populations exposed to incinerators in different sites in Italy. According to Patrizia Gentilini, an oncologist with the organization ISDE-Medici per l’Ambiente (Doctors for the Environment) the link between incinerators and tumours cannot be denied, especially for those tumours primarily affecting women and children.

That is why, sadly, many of the protest groups fighting these plants are called “Moms against the incinerators”.

Cocktail of toxic elements

Despite this incontrovertible data, incinerators are presented by governments and local authorities, desperate to find a solution to a growing waste disposal problem, as the green alternative for a bright future.

The reality however is that they release into the air a cocktail of toxic elements such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, and even more worryingly dioxins and furans, whose effects on human health can be transmitted to future generations. Dioxins in particular get into the soil and water, entering the food chain, and take decades to be eliminated from the environment. It is estimated that they remain in the soil for 100 years and in the human body for seven years.

The problem of incinerators and the conflicts they have generated is in no way confined to Italy. The case of Detroit, the largest solid waste incinerator in the United States, is one of the most iconic environmental and social justice fights in the country. In France, the Association for Research and Treatments Against Cancer (ARTAC) has also linked incinerators to cancer and its President Dominique Belpomme even went as far as describing environmental pollution, including chemical air pollution, as a crime against humanity.

storm doris The new Covanta plant seen here to the right of the iconic Poolbeg towers. Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Grave concern

All this explains my total dismay when I found out, accidentally, that an incinerator had been built in the centre of Dublin. I felt even more dismayed when I realised how little awareness exists in Ireland around the dangers of incinerators. I found out there had been some protests before the plant was built but now that it is set to be fully operational by August and will start burning some waste next month, the prevailing attitude has become one of resignation, a feeling that nothing can be done.

This is far from true. There are a series of issues surrounding the Poolbeg incinerator that should be a grave cause for concern for both residents and the wider population.

Firstly, the issue of emissions controls. At the moment, Covanta, the company that runs the incinerator, has agreed to publish the following data on its own website: Furnace Temperature, Total Dust, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Hydrogen Chloride (HCL), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Oxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide. However, no continuous publications on dioxin and furan level, the most dangerous particles, will be provided.

Independent monitoring needed

Secondly, there needs to be an independent body in charge of the monitoring, a body that has yet to be appointed. Strangely enough, the EPA licence allows the company itself to appoint independent bodies in charge of monitoring emissions and verifying their engineering in the plant. How independent can these bodies be if they are appointed by the potential polluter? The local Social Democrats have asked for an independent monitoring site to be opened at Poolbeg with an emphasis on the monitoring of furans and dioxins, but so far they have not received any concrete assurance from the EPA.

The third issue is Covanta’s track record. Last year, the company had to shut down one of two of its stacks at its plant in Durham Yorke, Canada, as the dioxins released in the air had surpassed the limits by 13 times the legal limit. The company defended itself by saying that the Canadian laws in terms of emissions are too stringent. The ones set by Dublin City Council on the other hand are almost certainly too loose, which means that if pressure does not mount, the company could easily release the same amount of dioxins in the air with no legal consequences.

I would like to believe that this won’t happen, but my own experience suggests that without a movement of citizens that forces the authorities and the company to be transparent and accountable, these measures are very unlikely to happen spontaneously. I am not comfortable with the idea of an incinerator sitting in the middle of a city, in a densely populated area and right across from an area with a cluster of schools.

I think there is enough international evidence against these plants, but even for those who remain sceptical, the precautionary principle should be enough. The precautionary principle dictates that, unless proven otherwise, things that can be dangerous for human health are to be avoided. The risk of finding out too late that the substances released in the air are highly toxic is too big a risk to take.

Laura Fano is a social anthropologist and translator based in Dublin. She has been a long-time activist on issues ranging from global inequality, environmental justice, feminism and education.

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45 Comments
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    Mute 8bitplebian
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    Mar 11th 2017, 9:45 PM

    Spare me this codswallop. This is the safest and best way to dispose of our waste and even basic research proves it. We can’t keep burying or exporting the problem.

    What is it with this country that even basic, fundamental infrastructure creates a torrent of uninformed NIMBY claptrap? And then we whinge when services are expensive and projects over budget.

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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:24 PM

    Well dunno about this, am in favour on incineration when compared to the alternatives, which you’re right the antis don’t tend to address. However, I wouldn’t be as trusting as you when it comes to the operators/regulators. It will only produce minimal pollutants if operated well, and that can only be guaranteed by effective enforcement, neither of which we have a great record of!

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    Mute Paul A Whelan
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:31 PM

    8bit. There are other ways of thinking about the waste problem. One worth considering is reducing the amount of waste that industry produces and sends down to the consumer. If burning rubbish is an accepted solution then only more and more rubbish would be produced. Incinerator solutions must be examined carefully.

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    Mute Dietrich Död
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    Mar 12th 2017, 9:25 AM

    I’d be inclined to agree, but if what this author says about the lack of independent monitoring is true, that can’t be good. Companies in the business of waste incineration shouldn’t be self-regulating.

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Mar 11th 2017, 9:59 PM

    You must have been living on the moon if you only found out about this since it was built. It’s been going on for years. Protest and controversy for years.

    106
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    Mute David O Brien
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:17 AM

    Welcome to importing other countries rubbish for burning it – breath in the fumes.

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    Mute David Huston
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:34 AM

    Ban smoky coal and smoking in pubs, then open this.

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    Mute Cranium
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    Mar 12th 2017, 7:02 AM

    Wow. It was only 6450 in your last post. That’s amazing.

    5
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    Mute Lord Clanricarde
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    Mar 12th 2017, 8:46 AM

    @David: importing in who’s rubbish?? These plants are either built or being built all over the UK. This one is only capable of servicing Dublin city!

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    Mute psychiatrist
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    Mar 12th 2017, 9:24 AM

    There were a few minor protests, but as a nation we Irish don’t care much about our environment. Some said explicitly they had no problem with incinerators at all, as all the toxic exhaust would be taken care of by filters. What happens to the ashes they never questioned either. Well, it’s here to stay for future generations to admire. And continental Europe really needs to offload waste as their citizens don’t want more incinerators.

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    Mute Alan Cooke
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    Mar 12th 2017, 12:33 PM

    @Martin Sinnott:
    Wonder if it will be as smelly as the liffey at low tide?

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    Mute Buster VL
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:47 PM

    @David O Brien:
    The alternative, David ???
    Welcome to exporting our counties’ rubbish to somewhere else for burning, let someone else breath in the fumes..

    3
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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 14th 2017, 12:49 AM

    We have been exporting ours. Think its about time we dealt with our own backyard

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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 14th 2017, 12:50 AM

    Hes talking gibberish. Typical scaremongering.

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    Mute 8bitplebian
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:07 PM

    >It is estimated that they remain in the soil for 100 years and in the human body for seven years.

    Riddle me this then. If we continue just putting the waste into the ground as we’re currently doing, how long do you reckon it will be down there for? And how is this any better than burning it?

    72
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    Mute Dermot Lacey
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:11 PM

    @8bitplebian:contrary to the assertion above in the 18 years since this was first proposed Councillors on Dublin City Council have Never voted in favour of the Incinerator.

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    Mute Al S Macthomais
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:40 PM

    @Dermot Lacey: How was the plant allowed to be built if the councillors voted against such a proposal.
    Then if the councillors have no real power over the area they are elected for what is the point in having county councillors.

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    Mute Awkward Seal
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:32 PM

    Yeah but I don’t think she’s necessarily arguing against incinerators in this article. She’s just saying it’s a stupid location given the risk something could go wrong and that the oversight should be more strict.

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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 14th 2017, 12:52 AM

    I actually know an environmental scientist whos a complete left wing free liberal nut whos all for the travellers and all that craic and even she says she would prefer incineration as landfill breaks down into horrible stuff.

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:34 PM

    Also green lighted by the former leader of the greens himself……John Gormley but of course he’s disappeared into the non toxic air on a pension provided by us little gremlins

    66
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    Mute Al S Macthomais
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    Mar 11th 2017, 9:48 PM

    Irish Political class are in the back pocket of the various business interests not only in Ireland but across the world. Apple tax bill comes to mind. we know the various majority of county councillors are part of the main political parties in the main will vote through this incinerator as they will find some beneficial career opportunities will come to the fore.

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    Mute 8bitplebian
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    Mar 11th 2017, 9:55 PM

    @Al S Macthomais: Politicians will oppose construction of a garden shed if they think there’s a vote in it.

    58
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    Mute Al S Macthomais
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    Mar 11th 2017, 9:59 PM

    @8bitplebian: More will vote if they get money off the builder for the garden shed. Politician will then state it was good to back the proposal as it created “jobs” in the area.

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    Mute John Birch
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:24 PM

    The air already has a cocktail of toxic elements. Last time I read about the subject, it’s backyard burning still rife in rural ireland that is the main cause of dioxins getting in the food chain. Dioxins the most toxic chemicals to the human body are created by burning certain plastics and pvc in presence of soil and particularly metals like copper, and are the reason the WHO recommends low fat dairy products. In germany public consultation was important to the government authorities who regulated the not for profit city incinerator that I visited. Ireland needs a decent one of these to improve air quality by making correct general waste disposal attractive. Of course it needs to be properly regulated. Major Irish waste companies still think Poolbeg will be more expensive than exporting to incineration plants in Sweden and Majorca, but guess that will change when they’re desperate for fuel.

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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:12 PM

    Another example of eco nuts opposing the solution because they want to exploit the problem.

    34
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    Mute David Wall
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    Mar 12th 2017, 6:41 AM

    An incinerator is far more preferable to a dump. Of course it’s not going to spewing smells of lavender and such, it’s burning rubbish afterall. However, I would suggest that there are far more few fumes coming out of car exhausts etc. So if people want a cleaner environment, produce less rubbish and drive less. Rocket science it ain’t.

    32
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Mar 12th 2017, 10:08 AM

    @David Wall:
    Agreed.
    I have a cousin, a farmer who lives near a county council owned dump, the smell off that is pretty toxic whenever I visit!
    He says he rarely notices it.

    7
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    Mute Alan Cooke
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    Mar 12th 2017, 12:35 PM

    @P.J. Nolan:
    Are you sure it’s the dump and not him?

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    Mute psychiatrist
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:18 PM

    @David Wall: Avoidence is far better than incineration, it could be argued in response. In any case, to compare car exhaust with dioxins, one has to be particularly clueless.

    3
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    Mute Christy McDonnell
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    Mar 12th 2017, 4:42 PM

    @psychiatrist: I have A SOLUTION, Tell the American Ambassador to inform His President that there are much sought after Job’s by the American people, being created in Dublin all along the bank’s of the River liffey, [even The AMERICAN President .knows about Riverdance for recognition purpose's]i.e City Bank BANKof America ,etc etc etc along with Covanta and Other industries, such as real estate carpet bagger’s, and that the president can have them all returned free of charge if He So wishes, and as a gesture of Kindness we will send him all the European waste we can gather free of charge dioxins and all.

    1
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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 14th 2017, 12:53 AM

    Thats like saying abstain from sex etc

    1
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    Mute Gwendoline
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    Mar 11th 2017, 10:49 PM

    John Gormley is to blame for this monstrosity…. and the fecker moved out as soon as permission was given … Green Party me ar&e

    25
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    Mute brian magee
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    Mar 11th 2017, 11:41 PM

    What’s the alternative? There was an article earlier in the week about how an old dump in. Bray is leaking into the sea.

    33
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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:10 AM

    An independent body. Such as the EPA? Already monitoring our air quality? We need an incinerator, we don’t need rubbish in the streets. http://www.epa.ie/air/quality/index/

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    Mute Magoo
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    Mar 12th 2017, 12:11 AM
    6
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    Mute Bren Guiden
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    Mar 12th 2017, 12:21 AM

    Molto percoloso io penso. Ma tutti genti irelandasi ignorosi, Perche? IL govenmento parli troppo Irish water, Nama blah blah blah. Recycle reduce reuse. Anche non acetto come laqua!!! Thiocifaidh ar la.

    5
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    Mute Phil Keenan
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    Mar 12th 2017, 11:12 AM

    The country is full of diesel vehicles pumping killer dioxins into the air. That’s a far worse problem that needs to be tackled

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    Mute Buster VL
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:39 PM

    @Phil Keenan:
    Also petrol cars pumping deadly carbon monoxide and co2 into the air.
    Then add the power stations, churning out thousands of tonnes of co2 every day.

    1
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    Mute Buster VL
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:36 PM

    Irish “Eco-Solution” to our waste:
    Load into huge barges, and ship it 5,000 miles across the sea to China.
    There it will be picked over by child workers for anything useful, and the rest burned.

    Not In My Backyard.

    4
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    Mute Anthony R Fildes
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    Mar 12th 2017, 9:25 AM

    I’d love to say we live in a society that re-cycles everything; clearly we have a long way to go and need to find a solution to our waste disposal problem. In the short term incineration is part of that solution. However there’s no denying incinerators are toxic. They should be sited nowhere near urban areas, and only on the East coast- not inland, and only allowed to run when the the wind blows westerly !!

    2
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Mar 12th 2017, 10:12 AM

    @Anthony R Fildes:
    Personally, I would prefer the basement of Leinster house….

    1
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    Mute Buster VL
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    Mar 12th 2017, 2:43 PM

    What do you anti incinerator nimbies suggest to do with no-recyclable waste?
    More importantly, a very large proportion of Ireland’s ‘recyclable’ waste isn’t.

    2
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    Mute DAVID DOH
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    Mar 12th 2017, 10:03 PM

    Absolutely crazy to have allowed such a location.. It should have been built kilometers up north on coast with access to a port for ships to transit… Now you will have garbage trucks ploughing up and down the quays to fill it… And furthermore totally restrict residential and commercial development of the area which should be a high rise modern city area… Again…CRAZY!!!

    3
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