11 June 1998 Edition
Even our rivers aren't free... from pollution
At the end of May SF councillor Michael Ferguson and residents from Lisburn, Poleglass, Milltown and the greater Twinbrook areas along with the environmental group `Friends of the Earth' launched a public campaign opposing the proposed toxic waste site at Mullaghglass.
A geological survey has shown that the site at Mullaghglass quarry, Mullaghglass Road is fractured and that the 100,000 tons of incinerated ash, scheduled to be dumped there every year, could leak into the water table infecting the water supply of the whole Six Counties.
The toxic waste carries the risk of causing cancer, diabetes and hormonal changes in human beings that affect fertility. The project, which endangers water safety, is also in violation of European Union laws.
NIGEN Environmental Ltd, the company involved, lodged their application for the site in 1996 to which Ferguson lodged an application for a public enquiry. It has been proven that the containers the company is proposing to use for the waste are defective and allow significant leakage.
Ferguson currently has a motion before Lisburn council, due to be debated at the end of June, to gain funding for a campaign against the proposed dumping of ash, which includes that from infected beef, and the handling of imported toxic waste from Britain. A decision by the council on whether or not to give NIGEN the contract will not be made until October this year.
A geological survey has shown that the site at Mullaghglass quarry, Mullaghglass Road is fractured and that the 100,000 tons of incinerated ash, scheduled to be dumped there every year, could leak into the water table infecting the water supply of the whole Six Counties.
The toxic waste carries the risk of causing cancer, diabetes and hormonal changes in human beings that affect fertility. The project, which endangers water safety, is also in violation of European Union laws.
NIGEN Environmental Ltd, the company involved, lodged their application for the site in 1996 to which Ferguson lodged an application for a public enquiry. It has been proven that the containers the company is proposing to use for the waste are defective and allow significant leakage.
Ferguson currently has a motion before Lisburn council, due to be debated at the end of June, to gain funding for a campaign against the proposed dumping of ash, which includes that from infected beef, and the handling of imported toxic waste from Britain. A decision by the council on whether or not to give NIGEN the contract will not be made until October this year.