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LANDFILL LINKED TO DOWN'S SYNDROME

Friends of the Earth Cymru is calling for Assembly action to reduce the use of hazardous landfill sites, following further research suggesting a link between landfill and birth defects.

The report published in the Lancet today [1] suggests babies born within 3km of landfill sites taking hazardous waste are 40 per cent more likely to be born with chromosomal anomalies, such as Down's Syndrome. There are more than 300 landfill sites in England and Wales licensed to accept toxic waste.

This new research follows two earlier studies indicating increased levels of birth defects were linked to landfills [1]. Yet the Assembly's Waste Strategy does not go far enough to reduce the amount of hazardous and industrial waste sent to landfill.

Friends of the Earth Cymru is calling for further action:

• a higher statutory target for reducing industrial waste going to landfill;
• to double the annual increase in the landfill tax;
• and the introduction of a higher rate landfill tax for the disposal of hazardous waste.

Neil Crumpton, at Friends of the Earth Cymru said:

"This latest study adds to our concerns for babies being born near toxic landfill sites such as Nantygwyydon. It is the third study showing that toxic landfill sites are a real health risk. Westminster and the Assembly should reduce the amount of toxic waste going to landfill by increasing the landfill tax and setting a higher rate for hazardous waste."

Notes

[1] Chromosomal congenital anomalies and residence near hazardous waste landfill sites, the Lancet, January 26, 2002 - eight of the 18 sites studied are in the UK.
[2] British Medical Journal, August 2001 and the Lancet, August 1998
[3] A list of toxic landfill sites
Ask "show me where CO_DISPOSAL SITES are", and ask to see OTHER SITES
TAKING SPECIAL WASTE. This is an Environment Agency website list.