Green Alternatives to Incineration in Scotland

http://www.gainscotland.org.uk/health.shtml

For every report that says incinerators are safe, there seems to be a dozen more that question this (scroll to the foot of this page). One of the most well known and respected is ‘The Health Effects of Waste Incinerators‘, published by the British Society for Ecological Medicine.  This examines hundreds of scientific studies from around the world.  Collectively, these studies paint a disturbing picture of a multitude of health problems that cannot be simply dismissed.

Reports by respected government bodies have been called into question. For example, in 2004, Defra published a report titled Review of the Environmental and Health Effects of Waste Management. This report largely discounts health concerns related to incineration. However, the Royal Society pointed out that Defra’s report fails to discuss cumulative effects, timelines for exposure, effects of mixtures and synergies of emissions and the additive effects, for example, when combined with other environmental and occupational exposures. Defra acknowledged these deficiencies in the final draft. However, the Royal Society subsequently stated:

“Although the uncertainties have been acknowledged in this report, it is important that anyone using these data takes adequate consideration of its inherent uncertainty”. [ Source: The Royal Society’s peer review of Defra’s report on the environmental and health effects of waste management, March 2004]

Both the Defra report and the Royal Society’s peer review are available online.

Toxic emissions

Burning waste emits fine particulates, heavy metals, innumerable chemicals, a variety of poisonous gases and large quantities of toxic ash [1]. For further information see Toxic Emissions.

Poor monitoring of emissions

The quality of monitoring of emissions from incinerators is poor – click here for more details.

Disease

Emissions from incinerators are implicated in a wide variety of conditions including respiratory disorders, neurological diseases, mental illness and various types of cancer [2]. A report published in September 2011 shows that although the emissions from waste incinerators may not be great, overall they can have a significant health impact (Health burden of waste incinerators in Seoul, Scientific study published Sept 2011). Also see this letter (click here) from Giovanni Ghirga, (International Society of Doctors for Environment) from 29 March 2011, which suggests that the health burden from waste incinerators could be very high indeed.

Birth defects

Many studies indicate an increase in birth defects downwind of incinerators. A study in France has shown that chromosomal defects and other major anomalies including facial clefts, megacolon and renal dysplasias may be caused by living close to incinerators [2].

At the end of his report into the health effects of pollution on children, Ralph Ryder concludes:

“The ever-increasing number of damaged babies being born around incinerators should be taken as a strong warning that the ‘experts’ and their friendly politicians are deliberately playing down overwhelming evidence of serious harm to suit industry’s financial interests, and, as it has been shown many times before, in many cases, their own.”

Click here to download his report, “What do you want – a Boy or a Girl”.

Infant mortality

Independent researcher Michael Ryan has found that figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that infant mortality rates (i.e. deaths below one year) in areas upwind of incinerators are significantly lower than in downwind areas. For example areas upwind of the Cheylesmore incinerator in Coventry (see areas shown in green on the map below) recorded an average infant mortality rate of 3.2 per 1,000 live births between 2003 and 2005, while in downwind areas (shown in red) the average was 8.2 (download ONS statistics). Downwind of the Deptford incinerator infant mortality is 8 times higher than the national average [see article here].

Some reports claim that such statistics can be attributed to socio-economic factors, i.e. poverty. However Mr Ryan has found that even in wealthy areas having an incinerator nearby can affect infant mortality – see report on Chingford Green ward in London.

Reduced life span in adults

ONS figures show that New Cross ward, which is largely downwind of the Debtford incinerator, has the highest Standardised Mortality Ratio out of all 625 council wards in London with a figure of 161 for 1999-2003. This translates as 61% more deaths than would be expected [3 & 4]. (See ONS statistics)

Contamination of land, water and vegetation

Studies show that soil and vegetation close to incinerators may become contaminated with incinerator releases of dioxins and heavy metals to levels above normal background concentrations. As a consequence, there is a possibility of agricultural produce becoming contaminated. Livestock may also take in pollutants, largely through ingestion of contaminated vegetation and soil [1]. Furthermore the toxic ash from incinerators will likely be put in landfill, where it can pollute watercourses [2].

[1] Allsop et al, Incineration and Human Health, 2001, Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Univ. of Exeter. Download report.

[2] Thomson, J. Anthony, H.: The Health Effects of Waste Incinerators, 2005, The British Society for Ecological Medicine. Download report.

[3] Crown Copyright, NATIONAL STATISTICS, SOURCE: ONS

[4] Original statistical analysis by Michael Ryan and Dr Dick Van Steenis. See UKHR and CountryDoctor for further information.

Reports – For further reports, Click here

Incineration and health issues – Friends of the Earth 2002

Friends of the Earth primarily campaigns against incineration because burning materials is a waste of valuable resources. However we also recognise that there are valid concerns about the impacts on health. We are especially concerned when incinerators are proposed in areas where levels of pollution are already high.

Incineration and Human Health – Greenpeace 2002

A broad range of health effects have been associated with living near to incinerators as well as with working at these installations. Such effects include cancer (among both children and adults) adverse impacts on the respiratory system, heart disease, immune system effects, increased allergies and congenital abnormalities. Some studies, particularly those on cancer, relate to old rather than modern incinerators. However, modern incinerators operating in the last few years have also been associated with adverse health effects.

The Health Effects of Waste Incinerators 2005, updated 2008

Both the amount of waste and its potential toxicity are increasing. Available landfill sites are being used up, and incineration is being seen increasingly as a solution to the waste problem. This report examines the literature concerning the health effects of incinerators.