ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley will ask the Cabinet to give the green light to a study into the high incidence of cancer around a controversial toxic waste site.
The proposal will be part of a package of measures he will bring to Cabinet in the autumn concerning the former Irish Steel plant on Haulbowline Island in Cork.
The number of cancer cases diagnosed in nearby Cobh, between 1994 and 2006, was 44pc higher than the national average, according to a National Cancer Registry (NCRI) analysis.
The NCRI yesterday confirmed that 397 cases of cancer were recorded in Cobh during that 12-year period compared to a national average of 270.
A spokesman for the NCRI warned that more in-depth analysis would be needed before any light could be shed on the causes of Cobh's higher rates of cancer.
Any further study that might be given the go-ahead would have to look at a range of factors such as the people's lifestyle and the kind of cancers they were diagnosed with.
East Cork TD David Stanton yesterday said it was too early to say if there was a direct link between "the disaster at Haulbowline and this incredibly high cancer rate".
He told the Dail: "There is no doubt that a cancer rate that is such a massive variation from the national norm rings alarm bells. Considering independent environmental reports from 2005 show levels of the cancer-causing Chromium 6 were above acceptable levels, these figures will cause distress and need an immediate response."
The revelation comes just days after a bitter row erupted between the Government and a subcontractor over claims that up to 500,000 tons of toxic waste may be dumped on Haulbowline -- including Chromium 6, one of the world's most dangerous carcinogens, as well as mercury, arsenic and heavy metals.
'Spiked'
Cobh Mayor Cllr John Mulvihill (Labour) yesterday expressed horror at the revelation that cancer detections had 'spiked' in the town, which overlooks Haulbowline.
"The reality here is that the figure of 478 people represents people's fathers, mothers, sons and daughters.
" This is a very serious matter and . . . the fears of the people of Cobh are perfectly understandable," he said.
Local residents' groups and environmental campaigners stressed that, while there was no evidence of a link between the waste and local health concerns, it was vital a study be ordered to determine the situation.
Controversy
Mr Gormley met with Cork residents' groups and environmental campaigners on Tuesday amid controversy over the scale of toxic waste levels on Haulbowline Island. It has been claimed the total clean-up bill for the site -- which hosted Ireland's only steel mill for almost 50 years -- could run to €300m.
The State has been given legal advice that it cannot claim any of the clean-up costs back from Irish Ispat or Ispat International, the plant's final operators.
Senator Dan Boyle, Chairman of the Green Party, told Newstalk radio: "The chemical industry in Cork Harbour, the fact that there are more . . . hazardous industries in Cork than in any other part of the country . . . these are all factors that need to be taken into account.
"I am very pleased, having called for it myself for years, that John Gormley has indicated that a baseline health study may be undertaken."
Irish Independent
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