News

Pollution Tests Prompt Fresh Safety Fears

Jul 8 2001

Sunday Sun

Another major health scare looks set to rock the region following the completion of the latest round of tests to be carried out around a controversial North waste plant. Soil samples previously taken from allotments near Newcastle's Byker incinerator have revealed increased levels of cancer-causing pollutants known as dioxins. Protesters now fear last week's more comprehensive tests will confirm the plant has been spewing out airborne pollution, as well as the contaminants found in ash spread on paths nearby. The latest study is the first extensive testing of the Walker Road allotments near the plant. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT Val Barton, of the Campaign Against the Incineration of Refuse, said: "It's about time these tests were carried out. "We've been pressing for them from the word go. "They will show if it's just pockets of the allotment that have been contaminated or if it's more widespread. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed because these dioxins have been shown to cause cancer." One of the samples taken last year yielded a reading of 88 nanograms of dioxin, over twice the level deemed acceptable. The main concern is that dioxins affect people via food, posing an obvious health risk if they have contaminated allotments. Newcastle University boffins took soil samples from the allotment site on Wednesday and Thursday. A team of scientists will now examine the samples in a laboratory in Germany before revealing the results later this year. Mike Childs, campaigns director for Friends of the Earth, said: "The vast bulk of people are exposed to dioxins through food. "Dioxins are recognised as a hormone-disrupting chemical which can lead to testicular, prostate, and breast cancer. "It can also affect unborn children and cause genital malformations. It's one of the most toxic compounds known to man." The university's first report was published in May last year. It revealed that incinerator ash spread on allotment paths was contaminated with up to 800 times the accepted levels of pollutants.

Top | Back | E-mail to a friend | Printable version

 

Copyright and Trade Mark Notice

© 2010 owned by or licensed to ncjMedia Limited. icNewcastle™ is a trade mark of ncjMedia Limited. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.

 

Jobs Newcastle, Homes in Northeast, Used Cars Northeast, Newcastle Free Classified ads Mortgages, Jobs in Newcastle Local Mole - Local Directory