Friends of the Earth Birmingham Action Briefing Aug-Sept 97

Tyseley Incinerator - Health Hazards

Incinerators have been linked with many health risks
including the following:

• cancer
• reduced sperm counts
• respiratory problems
• immune system damage

FoE have additional concerns that UK limits for emissions are far higher than in many other countries. Also the under-resourced Environment Agency is unlikely to be in a position to monitor emissions effectively.

There have been many exciting developments since the presentation to the residents of Tyseley and surrounding areas on April 30th, as reported in the last Action Briefing.

A press release confirming Birmingham City Council's refusal to meet either the residents or FoE brought about a "U" turn with Councillor Margaret Wells writing to FoE to arrange a meeting. I was informed of this meeting and the Council's agreement to meet the Residents Action Group at their meeting scheduled for Monday 30th June.

So on the evening of Friday June 27th Jenny Street and I met the Councillor and five senior Council officials (the first eleven!). The next twist (there were more than at a Chubby Checker disco) was that the Councillor stated that no one from the Council would be able to attend Monday's meeting as they had to represent the whole of Birmingham and not just one small pocket. Also the correct procedures needed to be followed i.e. residents needed to attend Ward Sub-Committee meetings to ask for the matter to be put on the agenda of subsequent meetings in forthcoming months. Subject to priorities this request may then be granted. Is it really possible that the Council could be so devious as to hope the matter would be so tied up in red tape and bureaucracy that it would slowly die?

Then the next twist. Monday's press release entitled "Birmingham City Council snub residents in "U" turn" was copied to the Councillor. Amazingly, that same evening, four senior Council officials plus the MD of Tyseley Waste Disposal Company all turned up to answer the residents concerns.

Where do we go from here? I remain very positive about working with the Council to ensure there is: effective monitoring of toxins emitted; minimisation of potentially harmful waste (such as plastics and non-ferrous metals). However, it is clear that the Council will only respond to any proposals if public pressure is maintained. The Council have agreed to consider any proposals put forward by FoE to improve its current poor record on waste minimisation. Birmingham currently only recycles 5% of total waste compared to national Agenda 21 targets of 25%. Also at present there are no facilities for recycling plastics which, when burnt, give off highly toxic gases such as dioxins. Proposals will be formalised after talking to other FoE groups and analysing what policies other successful Councils have implemented.

What can you do? phone or write to Councillor Margaret Wells, Birmingham City Council, Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham write to your MP asking for information about the results of monitoring the levels of toxins in emissions; express your concerns about the health hazards; request better legislation to put pressure on producers and retailers to reduce levels of waste; ask FOE for further information discuss your concerns with friends, neighbours and relatives.

It would be good if Birmingham City Council were to comply with the plans stated in its own document "Proposed Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy" (1994).

The fight goes on!

Paul Webb