Spinning in pollution
Robert Allen argues why Aughinish Alumina should not get a
pollution control licence
As the oral hearing into the EPA's integrated pollution licence
for Aughinish Alumina on the Shannon estuary got under way last
week the company's spin doctor Frank Dunlop was in full flow. The
allegations of pollution from Aughinish were, he said, ``totally,
completely unfounded with no basis in fact or science''.
Is that right? According to the licence, Alcan - as they are
known locally after their majority shareholder - are permitted to
spew various noxious and toxic chemicals into the atmosphere and
into the Shannon. Among these are sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides
and particulate matter - tiny particles which are coated with
chemicals. There is strong evidence that aluminum is present in
the particulate pollution.
Now Frank may not be aware of the consensus statement about toxic
chemicals and the immune system written by 18 scientists, which
was published last year.
The scientists had met at a workshop in Racine, Wisconsin,
between February 10 and12, 1995, to discuss the issue ``because of
the pervasive contamination of the environment by compounds.which
have the potential to disturb the immune system of wildlife and
humans, introduced into the environment by human activity''.
They were very concerned about aromatic hydrocarbons, carbamates,
heavy metals, organohalogens, organophosphates, organotins,
oxidant air pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - in
other words, virtually every source of pollution that results
from industrial activity.
Now I'm sure you'd agree that a perfectly functioning immune
system is essential for the well being of humans, not to mention
the odd cow, of the sort that used to reside on the west Limerick
farms of Liam Somers and Justin Ryan until some mysterious
illness struck down about 200 of them - and a horse or 11, just
like those on the Sheehy farm. And that anything that affects the
immune system would lead, you'd agree, to a decrease in the
quality of life, whether of humans or animals?
What these synthetic chemicals do is alter the immune system so
much that it is unable to function the way it is supposed to. In
humans these changes can cause allergic reactions, diabetes,
multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and a dozen other
diseases.
These alterations can also affect reproduction, significantly in
the developing foetus in humans and in egg-laying species. The 18
scientists noted that ``alterations in the developing and mature
immune systems may not be recognized as an adverse health effect
until long after the exposure''.
d the scientists added ``with confidence'' that ``certain
synthetic chemicals, such as those listed above, released or
reintroduced into the environment act upon the developing and
mature immune systems in humans and other vertebrates.
The scientists concluded that, ``the potential exists for
widespread immunotoxicity in humans and wildlife species because
of the worldwide lack of appropriate protective standards. This
is based on documented immune effects from high-level exposure,
plus a large amount of anecdotal data on humans and wildlife, and
strong experimental animal data''.
Yet, Frank, you appear to believe that there isn't a problem,
that your clients should continue to pump these chemicals into
the environment. The reason? Because it will hurt their profits
if they aren't allowed to do so. Because the conditions imposed
by the EPA will cost £9.5m and possibly force Alcan to close down
and put people out of work.
It was interesting that your managing director Cynthia Carroll
was quick to refer to the 450 full time people and 200
contractors Alcan employ, the annual wages of £14.4 million and
the contributions of £40m to the local economy and the £55m to
the national economy. It was interesting because she felt a need
to leave the issue of profits to her financial controller Michael
Collins. Perhaps that was because he went on to make a grand job
of telling us that Aughinish's projected profits for 1997 would
only be £11m. As he said himself, in capitalist terms that's a
poor return on investment. So all this talk of profit and loss
means, does it Frank, that your employers might have to close
down? Strange. I thought this hearing was about environmental
control, protection and enforcement, not the economics of the
global alumina market.
Well Frank people are getting wise to the effects of toxic
pollution so if Alcan have to close down I hope you're not going
to suggest it was because of the environmental conditions imposed
on the company the first time it had to apply for a licence of
some substance? Or would your bosses simply lay off a few people,
reduce wages, skimp a bit on the old health and safety?
Of course not, a reputable company such as Aughinish wouldn't do
that, would they? It's time to stop playing this employment card
and get a grip on your responsibilities to the health of your
workers, that of the immediate community and the ambient
environment, and your perspective.
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