News
    Reports
    The Guardian (4th January) - Comment and Analysis Section
    Purporting to be beating cancer
        'In fact, the figures are rising. Our bodies carry massive toxic loads'
        An excellent piece by George Monbiot - gives an important wider picture.

    The Chester Chronicle, Mold & Buckley Edition (22nd December 2000)
    Boost for kiln as fuel declared green
    Deals with the Environment Agency's confirmation that it proposes to licence the burning of Cemfuel at Clitheroe.
    However, all is often not as straightforward as it would seem and we also feature a letter from the Friends of the Earth
    group responsible for Clitheroe to the Environment Agency expressing their frustration and deep concerns over this decision
    and the way in which it was reached.
    'This Group has no faith in the Agency to adequately monitor Castle Cement'

Letters
We reproduce here a remarkable letter, sent to the Inquiry Inspector.
    From Mr Andrew Mack
    A local (Broughton) resident  who has attended most of the Public Inquiry with his impressions of this most important event.

Letter
From Neil Carman PhD
    We met Dr Carman, who is based in Texas, many months ago whilst browsing the Internet and, since then, he has given us
    enormous help in our search for relevant information. He is extraordinarily experienced in matters relating to hazardous
    waste incineration in cement kilns and as the Public Inquiry got underway, he wrote to the Inspector of his concerns - this is
    his letter.

Report
Chester Chronicle, Mold & Buckley Edition, (12th January 2001)
Yes to kiln 'will put 30,000 in jeopardy'

Public Inquiry
Environment Agency Wales' Closing Statement has now been made available and has been posted to the website

Public Inquiry
CANK Closing Statement
We are now pleased to confirm that a full summary of Tom Hill's (CANK barrister) Closing Statement to the Public Inquiry on 10th January, has been posted to this site.

News
    Reports
    The Flintshire Mail 1st February
    Firm presents new evidence over kiln
    In it's hurry to prove that:
    'the use of alternative fuels is environmentally beneficial and does not adversely affect air quality or public
    health'
    Castle Cement and their local general manager, Tony Allan, draw on two reports:- one as yet unpublished and the other
    discredited.
    For an alternative view of the same story, see:
    Clitheroe Advertiser & Times 18th January
    Once again we are in tip-top condition
        This prompted an interesting letter the following week, in the same paper:
        Disease problem of the 'very small sub-set'
        'a number of residents have expressed the view that the cement kilns frequently malfunction'
        'none of us knows when or why he might himself have the misfortune to become a member of "a very small
        sub-set."'

Quinn the Eskimo
    A slightly tongue-in-cheek but, nevertheless, serious look at the the state of the UK incinerator industry and its
    regulators by one of this country's most widely respected campaigners - ENJOY!

News
    Reports
    The Guardian, 13th February
    Dioxins in city may be worst in UK
            Update on the Byker, Newcastle scandal (see also, below)

    The Chester Chronicle, 16th February
    Phoenix rises to challenge of kiln claim
    Further response to the Castle story last week
            Two interesting questions arise from this piece:
                    a)Since the health authority meeting was closed to all but the EA and the local authority, how did Castle know
                       what went on?
                    b)Tony Allan's request to 'urge' protest groups not to 'attempt hold their own inquiry via the media'.
                       But this report is in response to one of several the company have had published in the press in recent weeks!
                       Such double standards are of concern, given that our health is in his hands.

Links
    Byker
    Track ongoing developments on the Greenpeace site
            In particular, do take a look at Alan Watson's excellent report
    Also on the Greenpeace Site
           Pollution and health impacts of incinerating resources

    Lycos Environmental News Service                                                   With thanks to Mary Horner
            An excellent resource which can be e-mailed to you daily (see bottom of their page).
           Dioxin Named a Known Carcinogen    (24th January 2001)

News
    Letter
    The Chester Chronicle 16th March 2001
    Company's financial clout won't turn public opinion around!
    'When will they (Castle Cement) realise that the only people who speak out in their favour are those with vested
    interests'

    Reports
    The Flintshire Mail, 1st March 2001
    Community says a resounding 'NO'
        Local referendum on a proposed waste incinerator in Wrexham
    The Guardian, 22nd March 2001
    MP's rubbish waste strategy
        'A damning indictment of the goverment's 'unimaginative and uninspiring' waste strategy'

News Reports
New York Times (21st April 2001)    Note: You will need to register with the paper to read their articles, but this is free
Tiny Bits of Soot Tied to Illness
New PM2.5 fine particle research data by the US EPA and other scientists associating it more strongly with premature mortality.

Also in
The New York Times (29th April 2001)
Behind the Court's Civil Rights Ruling
"This seems to be still another line of attack in a multifaceted campaign by the court's conservatives to deny Americans a judicial remedy for violations of their rights," said Herman Schwartz, a constitutional scholar at American University Law School.

Co-incineration: Quercus Highlights Errors .....
This Press Release from a Portugal's National Association for Nature Conservation.
Seems that serious  reservations about the veracity of institutions supposedly there to protect the population (Government; EA; Local Health Authority) is not confined to this country. The similarities with our experience are striking.

Greenpeace
    New Scientific Report Condemns Incinerators as a Threat to Human Health
    Formal launch of the landmark report Incineration and Health (see April 9th above)

    The United Nations Environment Programme has listed burning hazardous waste in cement kilns as having the
    potential for  comparatively high formation and release of dioxins, furans, hexachlorobenzene and PCBs in the
    final text of the upcoming Stockholm Convention.

    Greenpeace Dumps Waste that Cement Kiln Incinerator is Burning  Illegally on Company's Doorstep
    More on Cementa's (Heidelberger) suspect practices:
    'this  year, started a "trial" burn of 25,000 tonnes of hazardous waste from the  UK. The company's own records
    show emission's have increased since  they started burning this waste, including heavy metals and POPs.'

General Election
    Jones Pledges to Continue Fight Against Kiln     (Word Document)
    Chester Conservative candidate declares his opposition to the proposed kiln.

Byker
The Journal (May 15th)
Our Health Going Up In Smoke

UK General Election
    Two items that might be of interest:
    Are we to breathe freely after the next election
        Useful incineration-based questions to ask your prospective candidate before you decide to vote for them.
    A letter to Mark Tami, Labour's candidate for the Padeswood area, GOES UNANSWERED.
   If this man cannot keep such a simple promise, how can he be trusted to look after
      the interests of his constituents?

Greenpeace
    (22nd May)
    Greenpeace takes action to shut the worst incinerator in England
    "incineration is an unreliable and  dangerous technology incapable of being regulated with proper regard to
    human health and the environment"
    (30th May)
    It's official - incineration is a violation of our human rights
    'the first time the Commission has addressed the links  between the environment  and  human  rights,'
 

The Lancet
    Detection of pollution by biomarkers        (You may require a Microsoft Word Reader to open this document)

Newspaper Reports
The Clitheroe Advertiser & Times (10th May)
    Dioxin danger allegation is a 'misinterpretation' claims Castle Cement
    A revealing insight into life under Cemfuel. Contrast the concerns of local people:
       ' we want something done about the harmful emissions from those chimneys.
        This has been going on for seven years.'
    with the response from the Environment Agency:
        “These figures at first sight look quite high. It is only when you stand back and look at them in perspective it
        isn’t an issue at all,”

    This Report prompted several letters the following week (17th May 2001):
     Our People treated like guinea pigs
     'the average figure for the 24-hour period, according to our information is one of the highest ever recorded in
     England.'
    The Agency 'defends' Castle Cement
    The monitor issued 19 WARNINGS and eight ALARMS.
    Who is getting it right on air pollution?
    'According to Mr Isherwood (EA), the complaint from Friends of the Earth is a “red herring”.
    Maybe he should transfer to sea pollution, because he is not being very helpful about air pollution.'

The Daily Mail (29th May)
    Waste fumes 'can damage children's fertility'
       'I would certainly prefer not to live near a waste incinerator.'  Dr Jans Staessen leader of The Lancet report

Newspaper Reports
Flintshire Evening Leader
    A review of the Leader's excellent website revealed two interesting reports over the last few months:

    New Kiln 'is crucial to waste strategy' (23rd February 2001)
    “The new kiln is intrinsic to this agreement.Without it, we would have to re-negotiate.”
    CANK Comment
    Given Castle's past performance and coming as this does shortly after the close of the Public Inquiry, one has to
    wonder whether this is another crude attempt by the company to strongarm the Government as they clearly tried
    to do to with the local councillors over the job issue.
    CO2 reduction CANNOT be at the expense of  the health of local people.

    Castle urged to come clean on incinerator (3rd April 2001)
    Following Castle's failed Judicial Review of Cemfuel in March 2001
    (Castle) 'urged to admit that the proposed development is a “co-incinerator”

     “Can Castle Cement prove that they are not importing hazardous waste to burn in Britain because our laws
    and  the Environment Agency are less strict than those in the country of origin?

Newspaper Reports
The Rutland & Stamford Mercury
    The paper covering Ketton, home of Castle Cement's flagship plant where both tyres and Cemfuel are burned.
    Several stories featured prominently in May 2001 which are highly relevant to Padeswood.

 Cement Firm Draws Up New Extension Option (3rd May 2001)
“The decision facing the council is a critical one for the future of the works and all those who depend upon it.”
Seems that Castle just love to play the jobs card whenever they get the chance!
Frightened by the Fallout (17th May 2001)
 “The dust is sticky, like hairspray, and we find it impossible to remove from our car and windows — so what’s it doing to the herbs and salad vegetables I grow?
'Extensive List' of Work Ordered to Stop Dust (24th May 2001)
'The company has controvened rules on the points from which dust can be released into the air, techniques used to minimise dust emissions and measures to prevent the release of cement kiln dust.'
'We Want Castle to be a Neighbour we can Live With' (24th May 2001)
“The man who came to clean my car said he had done  more than 30 cars. One person I know was so concerned they moved out of the village.
Cement Firm Told to Clean Up Their Act (24th May 2001)
'unauthorised dust was released from the works over the Bank Holiday weekend '

New Link
    Community Recycling Network
    Since the Government does not yet have the will to offer it's people an effective waste management strategy
    (a 35% target over the next 14 years is patently absurd),  this  scheme could provide a vital alternative if we are to avoid
    incineration with it's clear implications for our health.

ENDS (Environmental Data Service)
    Three Important Reports added from ENDS Report 316 (May 2001):
    Evidence mounts for tighter standard on particulates
    'The health risks from long-term exposure to particulate air pollution are ten times more significant than those
    for short-term exposure'(COMEAP) (See also ENS Report , below)
    Tyre burning decisions to speed up under new consultation procedure
    'The Agency is actively encouraging alternative disposal routes for tyres, such as incineration in cement kilns.'
    Steel and cement sectors face tighter emission controls under IPPC
    'The timetable for most improvements is three years. But the blow will be softened by much lengthier deadlines
    for some costly programmes. The guidance says that deadlines for controlling NOx, SOx, particulates and
    dioxins will be negotiable.'

    ENDS Daily (11th June 2001)
    EU dioxin reduction target "almost in reach"
    GOOD NEWS which needs to be handled with care!

News Reports
    Press Releases
    EU Summit - Blair fails to endorse new Sustainable Development Strategy

    Greenpeace volunteers acquitted over shutting Britain's biggest waste incinerator

    Environmental New Service - Lycos
    Bush proposes more research on climate change (11th June 2001)
    'In six short months, President Bush has set us back ten years - doubting the science, weakening public policy,
    and undermining global cooperation." '

    Tiny Air Pollutants Linked to Heart Attacks (12th June)
    'As few as two hours after being inhaled, tiny, invisible air pollutants can penetrate the lungs' natural defenses
    and may trigger a heart attack'

    The Independant
    (23rd May 2001)
    UN treaty to ban 'dirty dozen' pollutants in developing world
    The treaty also calls for reducing releases of dioxins and furans ­ toxic byproducts of waste burning and
    industrial production ­ "with the goal of their continuing minimisation and, where  feasible, ultimate
    elimination".

    (17th June 2001)
    Public to lose voice in major planning rows
    'The plans, which could allow ministers to give the green light to hotly contested projects virtually by decree,
    pose the greatest  threat to democracy in planning since the system was set up  by a Labour government half a
    century ago.'

Newspaper Reports
The Times (Weekend Suppliment 7th July)
    Up in Smoke
    'Who needs a rubbish incinerator larger than Guildford Cathedral? Eighty-five towns in Britain if you believe
    the  experts.'
    An excellent report on the huge public concern that is growing over the building of incinerators, especially in relation to
    Guildford: 'The site is on the banks of a river and canal system, next to the only substantial wildlife reserve in the
    city. Two secondary schools, four primary and infant schools and a housing estate are within one kilometre.'

    “You watch over these little bodies all the time, spend all your effort ensuring they are safe, and you are
    suddenly faced with something that could threaten their development.”

BBC Newsnight (3rd July)
    An excellent report into the use of toxic ash in the house and road building industries followed by a Paxman interview with
    Michael Meacher. Total running time- 29 minutes
    The Basingstoke Burner Action Campaign (BBAC) has RealPlayer streaming video of the whole piece but some of the files
    are very large (8Mb).
    Alternatively, a full transcript of the programme is available from the BBC website

Our Stolen Future (14 May)
    A report from a panel of experts convened by the National Toxicology Program of the US National Institute of
    Environmental Health Sciences confirms the existence of low-dose effects of endocrine disrupting compounds "well below
    the "no effect" levels determined by traditional testing."

DTI
Regional Facilities for Dealing with Hazardous Waste  (November 2000)                                      (Requires an Acrobat Reader)
A very interesting report which includes summaries of the alternative technologies and a region-by-region assessment of haz. waste disposal capacity (eg. incineration, alternatives, etc).

Environmental News Service (ENS)
New page added to our site with links and US stories from this excellent Lycos resource:
Europe Incorporates Sustainable Development Strategy (ENS 18th June 2001)
A most welcome step, if only a statement of intent at this stage.
'Public health should be protected by a new European Union chemicals policy before 2004 which should ensure substances "do not lead to a significant impact" within a generation.'

Poll Numbers show Bush needs new environmental policies (ENS June 21st)
'Bush's deteriorating poll ratings are a clear sign that his muddy environmental record has cost him the public's trust'
        See also
        Global Warming is real, Council tells Bush (ENS 7th June)
        A new report from the National Academy of Sciences calls global warming a real problem, caused at least in
        part by humans.

BYKER
Pollution Tests prompt fresh Safety Fears (Newcastle's Sunday Sun 8th July 2001)
This story drawn to our attention by Val Barton, the local lady and allotment user, who was responsible for revealing the Byker scandal in the first instance. She told us today (8th July):
'Would you believe it, they're trying to throw me off my  allotment (Council owned) for not gardening it since the first results were revealed? I mean, would you?'
Rather than trying to remedy the appalling situation in Byker, the authorities seem intent on marginalising the person who, by first hightlighting the problem, has probably saved many lives.

Reports
    News
    Flintshire Evening Leader (3rd October 2001)
    Firm Named and Shamed - Castle Cement 'one of worst polluters'
    This is also backed up by a FoE Press Release on 16th November containing a league table of the worst 50 dioxin polluters in the UK.
    SIGNIFICANTLY, CASTLE CEMENT PADESWOOD IS AT 7TH AND THEIR CLITHEROE PLANT AT 20TH
    The nearest other cement plant is Blue Circle at 33 with a dioxin output of 1/3rd that of Clitheroe and less than 1/6th Padeswood's pollution.
    Does this give the lie to Castle's arguement that they need the new kiln to improve the environment!?

    The Sunday Times (18th November 2001)
    British homes may be asked to use eco-bins
        'Beckett’s announcement follows increasing government frustration over the failure of waste initiatives.'

    Friends of the Earth Press Release (20th November 2001)
    Simple Solutions to Waste Crisis
    'The Government has got itself into a complete mess over recycling' (Mike Childs - Senior Waste Campaigner - FoE)

    UK Committee on Toxicity Report on Revised Dioxin Standards
    'We conclude that dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs have the potential to cause a wide range of adverse health effects.'

For more information, like to add your own views, or if you have any further web links you would like us to include,  please email us at: feedback@cank.org.uk .