The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has published an updated position statement, “The impact on health of emissions to air from municipal waste incinerators”. This report reviews research on the links between emissions from municipal waste incinerators and effects on health.

The HPA's general position remains unchanged. Modern and well managed municipal waste incinerators make only a very small contribution to local concentrations of air pollutants and any potential damage to the health of those living close-by is likely to be very small, if detectable. It is possible that such small additions could have an impact on health but such effects, if they exist, are likely to be very small and not detectable.

Further information and a copy of the report is available from the Health Protection Agency’s website:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1251473372175?p=1202115571251