Lethal fall-out from waste incinerators lethal toxin
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.About one kilogram a year of dioxins, one of the most dangerous pollutants known to science, are emitted in Britain each year according to a new estimate by the Government's pollution inspectorate.
Municipal waste incinerators, burning household garbage, are responsible for a large proportion of the total, the inspectorate says in a report published yesterday. It estimates their total emissions at between 460 and 580 grams.
Most of these incinerators were built more than 20 years ago and by the end of next year they will have to meet more stringent emission controls - emitting only one billionth of a gram of dioxins in each cubic metre of exhaust from their chimneys.
Once they have met these requirements or closed down, the dioxin coming from garbage incinerators should fall to less than one-twentieth of today's levels, the report says. Britain's total annual emissions will fall by about two-thirds.
Once released into the environment, dioxins break down extremely slowly under natural processes and they can accumulate in fatty tissues. Studies on animals have shown the chemicals to have a wide range of toxic effects at very low concentrations, causing cancers and interfering with the immune, reproductive and hormonal systems.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments