AS French media outlets warn residents living near an incinerator not to eat eggs produced by domestic hens, concerned Carlisle residents are once again questioning why the incinerator has been given approval by the Environment Agency.

Le Monde, one of France's leading newspapers, reported that the country's health agency had recommended the non-consumption of eggs for those near the largest waste incinerator in the country, Ivry-Paris XIII incinerator, due to 'high levels of dioxins' found in eggs of hens raised outdoors near the site. 

 

The study, carried out by the ToxicoWatch foundation, found dioxins, furans, and PCBs contamination with the local eggs being produced. 

Carlisle Residents Against Incinerator (CRAIN) say they have informed the Environment Agency over the ToxicoWatch information.

READ MORE: Concerns over infant mortality rates and waste incinerators

Whilst a permit has been granted to Fortum Limited Carlisle to bring an incinerator south of Kingmoor, the site operator will not be able to operate the site until the Environment Agency are satisfied that they have met all the pre-operational conditions - such as 'arrangements for monitoring emissions' produced by the plant. 

Spokesperson for CRAIN David Mudge said: "Paris residents living near an incinerator are now being told about the risk to their health. Why are Carlisle residents being told incinerators are safe?"

An Environment Agency Spokesperson: "The permit for this site was granted following a rigorous assessment to ensure it would not pose a risk to the health of local communities or the environment. 

"This included a thorough assessment of the impact of dioxins via the food chain and we are satisfied that any emissions are unlikely to impact human health," they said. 

A spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency added: "The FSA considers risks to the food chain from incinerator dioxin emissions. 

"In most instances, we consider that food safety impacts are highly unlikely due to the tight controls required on emissions.

"The FSA considers that if the incinerator facility is correctly operated and monitored, with the appropriate level of emissions abatement, there should be no impact on the local area in terms of elevated dioxins in soil and locally produced food," they said.