Is PEH incinerator harmful to health?

There are many people including myself who are worried about the emission of toxic ash into the air surrounding the PEH. I believe many dioxins are known hormone disruptors, and since hormone levels are tightly controlled in the body, even small amounts – as little as one part per trillion in the blood – may translate into substantial hormone disruption, a risk factor for cancer, growth disruption and immune system dysfunction.

There is also a lot of containers being stored at the King Edward Hospital site believed to contain clinical waste. For those who may not know what clinical waste is – for example – it is waste produced from healthcare and similar activities that may cause a risk of infection like swabs, bandages, dressings, syringes, needles, blood or other body fluids as well human and animal tissue.

If there is still a problem with the incinerator at the PEH (as many people think there is and perhaps know there is but are afraid to speak up about it) is it not time this was sorted out as priority? Also storing clinical waste in a place that can be approached – and we all know in this day and age probably will be broken into – is a highly dangerous thing to do as well. There are many serious illnesses and diseases can come from contact with clinical waste.

Please can someone stand up and be honest about what is happening in respect of any of these allegations. The people have a right to the truth. If the incinerator is not adequate then get it replaced and spend our money sensibly by doing something constructive.

This is something for the new government to take on board as well and instead of spending our money on paying experts hundreds of thousands to tell them what a local can tell them for nothing. In other words listen to the people for a change.

ROD HAMON,

5, Rosemount,

Mont Arrive,

St Peter Port,

GY1 2AF.

Editor’s footnote: A Health & Social Care spokesperson replies:

‘The operation of the Waste to Energy Plant (WTEP) based at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital is subject to strict terms defined in our licence issued by the Office for Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation (OEHPR). There is a requirement for regular emissions quality testing over several parameters, including dioxins and furans. The plant itself requires regular maintenance to achieve best operational conditions and it is during those shutdowns that we have to store the waste in chilled conditions. The storing of waste is also subject to temporary approvals from the OEHPR and the Health and Safety Executive. Typically, we shut down for four weeks per year and that is when we utilise the storage at the KEVII which is specifically approved for that purpose.

The WTEP is nearing the end of its useful life and options are currently being explored for suitable methods of disposal of this particular waste stream. The resultant solution will be fully compliant with guidance as defined within Safe management of healthcare waste version 2 (previously HTM 07-01).

At Health & Social Care we have no wish to be anything other than transparent and open with our community. It’s always disappointing to receive a letter which makes unfounded claims and implies there is some secret or hidden agenda without any basis. We hope our explanation here puts your reader’s concerns to rest.’