Dioxin contamination of old incinerators

[Alan Watson <alanwatson@gn.apc.org>]

The Middlesbrough 'Evening Gazette' has this report in it today. 
Apparently the local reporters had asked why demolition was taking so 
long, and the local council (Stockton) responded with a press release, on 
which this story is based.  Apparently the figures (presumably the '200 tonnes 
of brickwork containing about five tonnes of dioxins' [!!!]) have been 
'corrected' in later editions  

 08 June 1999
 
FURNACE TOXIC DUST ALERT
DEADLY toxic dust has been discovered in the old Portrack Incinerator.
Potentially hazardous dioxins have been uncovered in the lining of the 
incinerator furnace.
And contractors are now painstakingly carrying out the work to eliminate 
any risk of contamination to the nearby Portrack Industrial Estate and 
Holme House Prison.
The highly toxic compounds are believed to have been created as a by-
product of burning household waste such as plastic.
“Demolition contractors are painstakingly dismantling what remains of 
the incinerator after uncovering potentially hazardous substances in 
previously hidden areas of the plant,” said a Stockton Council 
spokesman.
But Stockton Council structures boss Steve Lumb stressed there was no 
danger to the public.
Since January, the waste pit and auxiliary buildings have also been 
flattened.
But parts of the building, including the cooling towers for the two furnaces 
were inaccessible for inspection while the building was intact.
And as the landmark has been slowly removed, investigations have 
revealed residual dioxins which could be hazardous if released into the 
atmosphere.
Scaffolding has been erected at the site and work is on-going to remove 
the substance.
Firstly the steel-plated furnaces are burned to reveal the brickwork.
And 200 tonnes of brickwork containing about five tonnes of dioxins will 
then be removed by hand and taken to a licensed tip.
Mr Lumb said: “We always thought there could be a residue in the 
furnaces but the amount is more than expected.
“We suspended demolition as soon as the first traces came to light.
“Then we worked with the Health and Safety Executive to agree how the 
affected part of the plant should be dismantled.
“The contractors are working by hand under water-saturated conditions to 
prevent contamination, and the surrounding air quality is continuously 
monitored,” Mr Lumb added.
He stressed dioxins are only dangerous if released into the atmosphere.
And he also denied there was any risk of dioxins being released after the 
chimney was demolished in March.
“Experts found the chimney was free of dioxins,” he said.
The council expect the job to be completed in September.
The future of the site will be determined once the tender for operation of 
the council Civic Amenity site - currently at Portrack - is received in 
October.
A spokesman for Friends of The Earth said: “Dioxins are a group of some 
of the most toxic compounds known to man and are dangerous in even 
tiny quantities.”


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       _\\|//_                Alan Watson C.Eng                  
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