EPA open investigation into at incident at Poolbeg Incinerator that left 11 in hospital
June 8th, 2017
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened an investigating into an incident at the Poolbeg Incinerator in Dublin last night that left eleven workers in hospital.
In a statement released this evening, the EPA said that waste feed to the incinerator has stopped and waste incineration has also been suspended.
The incident is believed to have stemmed from the release of lime from the flue gas treatment system, exposure to which can cause severe skin irritation, chemical burns, blindness and lung damage.
Covanta, the company which runs the incinerator, said that it believes the release of lime occurred due to a problem with a door seal in the fabric filter baghouse, where emissions of small hazardous particles that form as part of the burning process are filtered.
The company said that a combustion unit operating at the time was shut down “in an orderly and controlled manner” and that the lime was contained and did not escape into the environment.
The EPA confirmed that the lime release was contained in the building and there was no loss of lime to the environment.
The EPA is satisfied that there was no danger to the public or local community from this release, the statement continues.
An EPA inspector was on site today, with the regulator liaising with the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) over the incident.
“The EPA will require a full report from the licensee in relation to this incident, which will address corrective and preventative actions to be taken,” the EPA statement reads.
“On foot of this report, and the EPA’s own investigation, further action may be considered by the EPA.”
Earlier today, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan called or activities at the facility to cease while an investigation is carried out by the proper authorities.
“We are extremely concerned at this incident happening so soon after incineration began at the site,” he said. “The authorities need to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.”
[x_author title=”About the Author”]
Friends of the Earth, An Taisce, and Stop Climate Chaos lead the charge to amend the Climate Bill before it Read more
TV channel ARTE are looking for Irish people to take part in a programme which will air during the COP21 Read more
The Environmental Pillar wishes to make clear to consumers and public that it rejects the awarding of an environmental certificate Read more
The environmental and heritage group are rejecting calls from the Irish Farming Association to shorten the hedge cutting times. An Read more
