Government figures from the Department of Health show that current emissions from Edmonton incinerator are expected to result in fifteen deaths every year. The figure will increase to twenty-two if the proposed expansion of Edmonton incinerator goes ahead.
Cllr Rupert Perry (Chair of North London Waste Authority, the co-owners of Edmonton) said on BBC Newsroom South East that the Edmonton incinerator is "very clean" but this view has already been contradicted by Environment Minister Michael Meacher who has said that there is 'no safe threshold' for incinerator emissions.
Stephen Tindale, Greenpeace, said: "Rupert Perry seems to think that a clean incinerator only kills fifteen people every year but local residents of Edmonton incinerator would disagree. His absurd optimism about Edmonton is even contradicted by the Minister for the Environment. It's time we abandoned hazardous incinerator technology and opted for recycling schemes which are popular with the public and will generate jobs for Londoners."
Other key facts about Edmonton include:
- Edmonton incinerator currently burns just over half a million tonnes of waste a year (534,000 in 1999). London Waste Ltd aims to expand this to 830,000 tonnes.
- Edmonton incinerator currently emits 808 tonnes of acid gases every year including 748 tonnes of nitrogen oxides, 34.5 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 25.2 tonnes of hydrogen chloride. The incinerator also emits 18 tonnes of particles, 56 kilos of arsenic, 10 kilos of cadmium and 21 kilos of mercury every year as well as extremely toxic dioxins. [3]
- Current recycling rates in the seven London boroughs which make up North London Waste Authority are around 1%. Edmonton in Canada has a recycling rate of 50%.
- London Waste Ltd was fined £8,500 in 1998 for "burning clinical waste of types not permitted by the authorisation and a further charge of failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice issued under Section 13 of the Act" [4]. Altogether, London Waste Ltd was guilty on 19 separate charges relating to clinical waste disposal.
Notes for Editors:
[1] Greenpeace has examined Department of Health figures for early deaths from acid gases and particulates from incinerators. The figures show that existing pollution levels from Edmonton incinerator can be expected to bring forward fifteen deaths per year.
The Department of Health's Economic Appraisal of Health Effects of Air Pollution (EAHEAP) prepared a cost benefit analysis which calculated 'Number of deaths not brought forward' per tonne of pollution avoided. The figures are 0.02 deaths a year per tonne of NOx, 0.005 deaths per tonne of SO2 and 0.002 deaths per tonne of particulates. The figures are quoted in the DETR's report: Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Waste Incineration Directive.
Given that Edmonton currently emits 748 tonnes of nitrogen oxides per year, the number of resulting deaths will be 748 multiplied by 0.02 which is 14.96.
[2] On 14 April 1999, Michael Meacher said: "The emissions from incinerator processes are extremely toxic. Some of the emissions are carcinogenic. We know scientifically that there is no safe threshold below which we can allow such emissions. We must use every reasonable instrument to eliminate them altogether."
[3] The health effects of Edmonton incinerator's emissions include:
Acid gases - exacerbate respiratory problems such as asthma and have been linked to increases in premature deaths of people with respiratory and heart conditions.
Arsenic - linked with cancer
Cadmium - linked with cancer
Mercury - highly toxic and affects the brain and nervous system
[4] Environment Agency press release, "London Waste Ltd fined £8,500 for waste offences", 24 July 1998, ref: 105/98
