Air pollution experts say modern incinerators are no significant threat to public health

3 September 2009

The Health Protection Agency has reviewed the latest scientific evidence on the health effects of modern municipal waste incinerators.

The Agency report concludes that while it is not possible to rule out adverse health effects completely, any potential damage from modern, well run and regulated incinerators is likely to be so small that it would be undetectable.

An Agency spokesman said: "The evidence suggests that air pollution from incinerators makes up a fraction of one percent of the country's particulate emissions. Industry and traffic account for more than fifty per cent.

"European Union Directives aimed at minimising landfill are leading to an increased use of incineration, and research suggests that this will not cause any significant adverse health effects.

"The evidence suggests that any potential damage to health of those living close to incinerators is likely to be very small, if detectable. The Agency therefore does not believe that studies of public health around individual incinerators are scientifically justifiable."

The report updates a 2005 statement but there is no change in the Agency's general position.

Notes to editors

• The Agency's updated position statement on:  The impact on health of emissions to air from municipal waste incinerators can be viewed on the HPA website
• The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has a statutory responsibility to advise Government and Local Authorities on possible health impacts of air pollutants. Responsibility for the environmental permitting of municipal waste incinerators lies with the Environment Agency. 
• Data provided by Defra (National Emissions Inventory www.naei.org.uk ) show that 2006 national emissions of air pollution particulates PM10 from waste incineration are 0.03% of the total compared with 27% and 25% for traffic and industry respectively.
• The Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment has concluded that any potential risk of cancer due to residency near to municipal waste incinerators is exceedingly low and probably not measurable by the most modern techniques.

Contact: Health Protection Agency Press Office, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, www.hpa.org.uk.
Tel +44 (0) 1235 822745?or 01235 822876  Fax +44 (0) 1235 822746.

Email chilton.pressoffice@hpa.org.uk

Last reviewed: 2 March 2010