Illegal incineration of hospital waste:
Quercus presents a complaint to the European Commission
Quercus presented today (2003, January the 10th) a complaint to the European Commission against the portuguese government regarding the existence of 3 incinerators of hazardous hospital waste, that have not been subject to a proper environmental impact evaluation, nor respect the norms on atmospheric emissions.
These incinerators are placed in three hospitals close to Lisbon: Garcia de Orta (Almada), Prof. Fernando da Fonseca (Amadora/Sintra) and Parque da Saúde de Lisboa (Hospital Júlio de Matos).
Relating to the first two incinerators, not only they have not been subject to any process of environmental impact evaluation, as they do not possess any flue gas treatment system; therefore, these two installations are violating directives nº 97/11/CE (Environmental Impact Assessment) and nº 2000/76/CE (Waste Incineration).
As for the incinerator in Parque de Saúde de Lisboa, it has not been subject to any process of environmental impact evaluation either.
When it comes to atmospheric emissions, this incinerator has a flue gas treatment system, but the information and data on those emissions are not public. So, under these circumstances it is not possible to know if this facility in fact respects the legislation.
The continuous functioning of these illegal incinerators of hazardous hospital waste, particularly those in Almada and Amadora/Sintra, is a threat to public health for it is known that incineration made in conditions like these, usually result in high dioxin emissions. It is common knowledge that dioxins are one of the main pollutants resulting from human activities, that they have carcinogenic effects and disturb the hormonal system, originating significant disruptions in the human body.
The continuous use of these three incinerators, not only originate pollution, as it is unnecessary at least for two of them. In fact, in Portugal exists for some years, units that allow for an alternative treatment to incineration (autoclaving) with the capacity and ability to eliminate 95% of the hazardous hospital waste (Group III – wastes with biological risk) produced in Portugal.
The remaining hazardous hospital waste, that is classified as of mandatory incineration (Group IV) represent less than 1000 ton/year, which is a minimal amount, if we consider that the incinerator of Parque de Saúde de Lisboa has a higher capacity than that.
The problem remains with the existence of a present authorization to incinerate wastes classified as Group III.
Finally, it is important to mention that it is still possible to reduce substantially Group IV, specially with the new legislation under preparation, that will allow for the treatment of wastes like syringe needles and other sharp materials, that are now of mandatory incineration, by autoclaving.
Lisbon, 10th of January 2003
Quercus – National Association for the Conservation of Nature Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza
Contacts:
Rui Berkemeier (+351) 934256581, (+351) 217788473, Pedro Carteiro (+351) 934285343