CARLISLE'S anti-incinerator group has asked artificial intelligence whether pollution from UK municipal waste incinerators harms the health of those who live or work nearby.

The question prompt, from the group Carlisle Residents Against Incinerator, comes after Fortum Carlisle Limited was approved to bring a waste incinerator to land south of Kingmoor Park Industrial Estate by the Environment Agency.

And whilst 'more research is needed to fully understand the risks', Chat-GPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI, stated that 'living or working near an incinerator can increase the risk of a number of health problems'.

"There is evidence to suggest that air pollution from incinerators can have negative impacts on public health, including the potential to shorten the lives of people who live or work nearby," the AI said.

"The pollutants released during incineration, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals, have been linked to respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other health problems.

"Studies have shown that people who live or work near incinerators have higher rates of respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as a higher risk of cancer.

"The impacts on public health depend on various factors, including the proximity of the incinerator to residential or commercial areas, the type and amount of waste being incinerated, and the effectiveness of any pollution control measures implemented." 

CRAIN spokesperson, David Mudge, said: “These cutting-edge AI systems recognise that incinerators harm health.

"Doctors and residents recognise that too.

"Google's AI recommends not living or working near and incinerator and suggests people campaign against incinerators and for more sustainable waste management solutions.

"The government must prevent more incinerators. Wales and Scotland have already taken action, we must do the same here in Cumbria.”

Earlier this month, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath asked parliament what assessment they have made of the impact of emissions from incinerators on the health of the local population as a whole, and babies and children in particular.

In a written response, Lord Markham said: "The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) position on incinerators is that modern, well-run and regulated municipal waste incinerators (MWIs) are not a significant risk to public health.

"This view is based on detailed assessments of the effects of air pollutants on health and on the fact that these incinerators make only a very small contribution to local concentrations of air pollutants.

"Public Health England funded a study by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit at Imperial College London which found no link between exposure to emissions from, or living close to, MWIs and infant deaths or reduced foetal growth."

Although the permit has been accepted for the Carlisle site, the 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.