“Dioxins(a group of three main families including dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCB’s) are considered to include the most toxic synthetic chemicals known, and they are always produced in burning municipal and hospital waste. They cause cancer, birth defects and immune damage.” – Doctor Crispin Langston, Waimate GP.
Langston’s immediate concern, should the plant be constructed, is for the town of Glenavy and its school just 2.5 kilometres south of the site.
“The northeaster is the prevailing wind in the area, and that will take all the toxins and pollution from the plant straight over Glenavy.
“The long term concern are the dioxins produced by the plant, which are very resistant and do not break down easily, and they accumulate.”
Langston said dioxins (a group of 3 main families including dioxin, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs) are considered to include the most toxic synthetic chemicals known, and they are always produced in burning of municipal and hospital waste.
“They cause cancer, birth defects and immune damage.”
Dr Crispin Langston is the spokeperson for the group of five Waimate GP’s who oppose the ‘Project Kea’ waste to energy plant.
“Having considered various claims about the proposal for a waste burning plant,” the local doctors said that “the issues of risk to health have not been fully recognised. On current information then, this project would be best described as a waste to poisons plant.”